Author's Note: Yay! I have a beta now! Thanks to my new beta, Dragyn over at SIYE. Without him, this wouldn't be any good. Thanks to all who sent in reviews and added me to their story alerts. Like I said, it's what we writers get as pay.

May 16, 1998

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, McGonagall, and Kingsley were all beside Dumbledore's tomb. They could see the large crack in the white marble that marked where Voldemort had broken it open. There was a faint glow from the stone that was, Harry supposed, from the effects of all the spells that had been placed on it. McGonagall nodded to Harry. He pulled out the Elder Wand and pointed it at the desecrated grave.

"Finite," he muttered.

The glow vanished. Harry approached the tomb and saw Dumbledore lying there as if he was simply asleep. He tucked the wand back into the headmaster's hands, and said, "Thanks, Professor."

Harry walked down from the tomb and re-joined the others a few meters away. McGonagall and Kingsley proceeded to cast protective wards on the tomb, in the hope that it would never be disturbed again. As they were walking up back to the castle, Harry took a backward glance. He was sure he saw a red phoenix flying off into the sky. He blinked his eyes, but it was gone.

Was it Fawkes? Harry wondered. Could the bird have accepted commands from its dead master? The obvious answer was no, that's impossible, come off it, Harry. However, seven years in the Wizarding World had taught Harry that when magic was involved, almost anything was possible.

This line of thinking kept his brain busy until they reached the familiar tapestry of trolls trying, but abysmally failing, to do ballet. He did not have to think about what he wanted; the familiar wooden door was already there. He opened it, to be greeted by the sight of a giant poster of Dolores Umbridge, beaten to within an inch of her life. All four of them at the entrance did a double-take.

"We thought you'd like it," the dreamy voice of Luna Lovegood said. It was, Harry saw, an enlarged page from the Daily Prophet. Someone handed a normal-sized copy to Harry, turned to the right page. He began reading.

DISGRACED MINISTRY OFFICIAL MOBBED TRYING TO FLEE COUNTRY

Former Senior Under-Secretary to the Minister of Magic Dolores Umbridge was caught trying to flee the country yesterday, the Daily Prophet has learned. The disgraced Ministry official, a key figure in the implementation of many failed policies under three successive Ministers, was attempting to secure a Portkey at the London International Porkey Terminal to France when she was recognized by a group of Muggle-born refugees, returning after the fall of Lord Voldemort.

Reg Cattermole, one of those refugees, described what happened to our reporter:

"There we were," he said, "just picking ourselves up off the ground, when we saw that toad Umbridge trying to get out. She didn't look quite like herself, of course, but she didn't fool any of us. None of us had wands, otherwise we'd have hexed her to bits, but we all got our chance to administer some justice anyways."

The administration of justice was, according to other witnesses, a "fine display of Muggle dueling". The refugees reportedly attacked Umbridge, kicking and punching her multiple times. Other refugees in the facility joined in when they realized what was going on. It was well over ten minutes before Hit Wizards from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement were able to restore order and escort Umbridge to a secure ward of St. Mungo's, where her injuries are currently being treated.

"Oh, she'll have a lot to answer for," an anonymous Ministry official said. "The whole Muggle-Born Registration Commission was disgraceful, and we have information she committed other crimes before then as well. I think we'll be seeing her in Azkaban real soon."

"That's more than that git deserved," Ron said. "Pity someone couldn't have hit her with a Bat-Bogey Hex or something. I'd love to see that up there," he went on, pointing at the giant picture.

"Look, Harry," Hermione said, pointing to another story. "Rita's made the news!"

DAILY PROPHET SACKS REPORTER FOR ETHICAL VIOLATIONS

The Daily Prophet sacked its star reporter Rita Skeeter yesterday. According to editor-in-chief Philip Gutenberg, she was removed from her job by the newspaper following a report that she is currently under Ministry investigation as an unregistered Animagus. Skeeter, whose animal form is reportedly a beetle, was caught on the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, despite explicit orders from Acting Headmistress Minerva McGonagall forbidding any unauthorised presence inside the heavily damaged school.

Being an illegal Animagus is punishable by ten years in Azkaban, but Rita is unlikely to spend that long in jail, a Ministry official revealed.

"Let's face it," he said, "there are only so many cells in Azkaban and we've got more important people to worry about." The Daily Prophet has begun an investigation into the accuracy of all stories Ms. Skeeter has written for the newspaper.

"Well, that's not a bad way to start the day, is it?" Ginny said. Harry nodded.

"Okay, Harry," the voice of Seamus Finnegan said a little loudly. "What were the three of you up to the last year? Ginny told us you'd tell us today."

Harry did a mental head count of everyone in the room. Subtracting those he knew had not been present, and those still in St. Mungo's, he was gratified to note that no other DA members had been killed.

"On one condition," he warned. "Nothing Ron, Hermione, or I say leaves this room. What I'm about to tell you involves some of the darkest magic that can be imagined. We can't even tell you everything, just the important parts. If word got out, well... look what happened with Voldemort and how troublesome it was to get rid of him. The last thing the world needs is would-be Voldemorts. Will you all each give me your word?"

Once there was agreement from everyone else in the room, Harry began explaining their year-long trip, with Ron and Hermione filling in occasionally. When he brought up the topic of Horcruxes, everyone was visibly shocked. The thought was as repellent to the members of the DA as it had been to McGonagall and Kingsley. Even Luna's voice lost its usual dreamlike quality.

Ginny, however, noticed that they had left out some details. They had not mentioned Ron bailing out on Harry and Hermione because of the locket Horcrux. Harry had also neglected to include how he kept seeing what Voldemort was seeing. When Neville had asked how they got the information they acted on, Harry had given him a we-can't-tell-you look.

Inevitably, the talk turned turned to the battle in the rest of the castle. It was difficult, but Harry managed to get through it. Some more details were left out, but no one even bothered to pry too deeply into those. Eventually, the DA members started talking about the battle itself which Harry, Ron, and Hermione hadn't seen much of, since they were busy fighting off Malfoy and his goons Crabbe and Goyle in the Room of Requirement for a great deal of the time

"There weren't actually that many really dangerous Death Eaters around," Seamus said. "Most of 'em seemed to be just random folks who got Imperiused. I think I stunned someone who I remember Madam Rosmerta throwing out of the Three Broomsticks for having a little too much mead."

Harry nodded, mentioning his encounter with Stan Shunpike. (Harry, however, failed to mention exactly when this had taken place, and the DA didn't ask.)

Eventually the topic went to Zacharias Smith. Susan Bones, the only Hufflepuff in the meeting - all the other Hufflepuffs in the DA were still recovering in St. Mungo's - visibly bristled at the name.

"That useless, stinking, git!" she yelled.

"Oh, don't worry about it," George Weasley said. "We've got a special Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes product lined up for him. Chicken Cake."

"Does that do what I think it does?" Neville asked.

"Yep," George went on. "It works like the Canary Cream, except it turns the git who eats it into a chicken... for a few hours. I'd like to see that, wouldn't you?" This was met with squeals of laughter. Harry was glad to see that even grief could not completely stop the sense of humor of George Weasley. Fred, he thought, would have it no other way.

"So, I guess this is it for the DA, then?" Neville said as the chatter died down.

"I guess so," Harry replied. "But we won, didn't we? We did what we set out to do - and more. Without you all, I couldn't have done what I had to. Thanks," Harry said, although deep in his heart he knew words would never be enough.

"Times like these," said Katie Bell, "call for a toast. Don't you think so, everyone?"

"Well, there is the tiny little problem that the room can't produce food," someone replied.

"Who said anything about the room taking care of that?" Angelina said. "We brought our own."

Bottles of butterbeer were passed around.

"So, who do we dedicate it to?" Ron asked. Harry thought for a moment, but it was Ginny who came up with an answer.

"To the woman whose existence made ours possible, even necessary." She paused for effect. "Dolores Umbridge."

The room exploded in laughter just as the giant Umbridge in the picture was hit with an umbrella by a bystander.

That afternoon, the memorial service took place outdoors beside the lake. It was very much like Dumbledore's funeral, Harry thought. There were many familiar faces present, but just as many were missing. To his left, in the front row, were Ginny, Ron, Hermione, the rest of the Weasleys, and Andromeda Tonks, holding a blue-haired Teddy Lupin in her lap.

Harry wondered at the mix of emotions going through her right now. She had lost her husband, daughter, and son-in-law in short order. How could she survive such grief? It was hard enough to lose one person you loved, but three at once? It should have been too much for anyone, but there she was, managing to comport herself with an unexpected level of dignity.

There was a buzz in the air from the conversations people were having with each other, but it ceased when several figures left the castle towards the gathered assembly. They drew closer and Harry now saw that the figures were made up Professor McGonagall, the other Heads of House, Kinsgley, and the familiar tufty-haired wizard who had been at Dumbledore's funeral and Bill and Fleur's wedding. Harry idly wondered if there were so few wizards that officiated ceremonies like these that he had seen the same one three times in just under a year.

Harry paid little attention to the tufty-haired wizard. Instead, he was going over his memories of the people being remembered. It wasn't until Kingsley stood up to speak that Harry started paying attention.

He knew that it would be Kingsley's speech that would single out the trio for their efforts. At least, Harry thought, Kingsley won't use us to promote himself, like Fudge or Scrimgeour would have. Harry, however, wanted the others to get their part of the credit too. Without Ron, Hermione, and so many others, Harry knew, he could never have succeeded. They deserved the honors as much as he did - if anything, perhaps, even more.

He was gratified to hear Kingsley's speech. It was a refined version of what he had said the previous night in the headmaster's office. He recognized not just Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but all their other contemporaries who had done their part. He ended his speech with a line that Harry thought Dumbledore would have been proud of:

"After what you have all accomplished, I see a bright future for the Wizarding World. Your sacrifices shall never be forgotten."

It was met with loud applause that lasted for almost a minute. There was nary a dry eye to be found among the hundreds of people who had been listening. Then Professor McGonagall spoke.

"We are ready," she said, "to inaugurate a memorial to all those who died. It is located in the Entrance Hall, but we cannot accommodate everyone in attendance inside. May I ask that only those who were present at the battle and their families enter to see the unveiling personally.

"Everyone else," she went on," will be able to view the proceedings from here." A cacophony of noises was generated as people gradually made their way inside the castle.

Inside, there was a large black curtain covering part of the Entrance Hall beside the entrance to the Great Hall. Harry supposed the memorial was behind it and wondered what it would be. He turned to Ginny, who was beside him.

"Do you know what it'll be, Harry?" she asked, but Harry shook his head. They both looked over to Mrs. Weasley, who was leaning on Mr. Weasley, her face still wet from the tears she had been shedding all day.

Professor McGonagall and Kingsley made their way over beside the curtain. A pair of small bangs from each of their wands brought the crowd to order. The two lifted their wands and the curtain fell away revealing what was behind it. Where there used to be a simple wall of stone, there was now a section of the finest white granite. Seven feet off the floor, carved into the stone, was the text:

In memory of those who gave their lives so that others may live in peace.
We shall never forget.

Below the words, elegantly carved into the stone were fifty-five stars. Below the stars, on a small shelf, there was a small leather-bound book. The book named all those who had died that fateful night, each represented by one star in the smooth stone. On each side of the shelf, there was a simple glass mirror. "These mirrors," Professor McGonagall said, "are enchanted so that one who gazes through them shall see our best memories of those who died." Slowly, from both outside and inside the Entrance Hall, a wave of applause moved over the crowd. It was a fitting memorial, Harry thought, and the crowd agreed. It went on for what seemed like an eternity. Any eyes that had dried from the service were crying once again. Even Harry and Ginny, neither of whom were prone to shedding many tears, were overcome with emotion.

"What do you see in the mirror?" Harry asked.

"Tonks," she answered, "in Grimmauld Place, changing her nose to all sorts of things. What about you?"

"Fred," he replied, "when they lit off all those fireworks after Umbridge took over."

It was well over half an hour before the crowd thinned. Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys - with the exceptions Mr. Weasley and Bill - were sitting in a table in the Great Hall, together with Andromeda Tonks and Teddy Lupin. Miraculously, Teddy had managed to stay quiet the whole afternoon, and was now sucking on his thumb held in Harry's arms.

"I think," Andromeda said, "Remus and Dora couldn't have chosen a better godfather." Harry turned red at the thought. He knew nothing about raising children; he was barely of age, after all. As if she had read Harry's mind, she continued. "It's not about what you can or can't do. It's about how you love someone. I'm sure you will do well."

A tired-looking witch with a clipboard approached them. "Mrs. Tonks?" she asked. Seeing the nod, the witch handed the clipboard and a quill over. "You will need to sign these."

Andromeda signed the pieces of parchment, the sadness evident in her eyes. "I will see you all for the funeral, then?" Everyone nodded. "I will send you an owl with the arrangements. Thank you very much for the help, Molly."

After the two women hugged, Harry handed over Teddy back to his grandmother.

"Say goodbye to your godfather, Teddy," she said, and the baby opened and closed his hands in, what Harry supposed was a goodbye wave. Harry waved back, and Andromeda followed the witch with the clipboard out of the Great Hall.

"As soon as Arthur and Bill have made sure the Burrow is safe to return to, we'll be taking a Portkey back," Mrs. Weasley announced. "It shouldn't take long - oh!"

Just then, the familiar silver weasel landed in front of Mrs. Weasley and spoke in Mr. Weasley's voice. "The Burrow is safe."

Once the Patronus vanished into nothingness Mrs. Weasley said, "I guess we'd better head... home, then." Silently, the group left the Great Hall. Several minutes later, they found themselves out on the grounds, waiting for a Portkey to the Burrow.

Several minutes after that, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were back in the garden where their quest had started, just under a year ago.

To be continued... read and review please.