Disclaimer: Of COURSE I'm JK Rowling. How dare you ask such inane a question?
A/N: Sorry guys, I wanted to get this out earlier, but then I had camp, then I went overseas, then... you get it. Life interfered. Anyway, it isn't a long chapter, but I wanted to set the scene for what happens after this. Hope you like it, and review! ;D
One
Albus Dumbledore stood, stunned, on the first floor of the Potters' house. He had just finished checking the house, trying to figure out what had happened. There weren't too many clues to work with: there were some spots of blood, both on the stairs and the first floor; mirror shards littering the second, a Muggle gun lying among them; Peter Pettigrew's body lying at the gate, an obvious victim of the Killing Curse, bearing (to Albus' utter shock) a Dark Mark; and, last, but not least, Voldemort's body.
I'm making it sound way too mundane, Albus thought to himself, smiling slightly. But then the smile faded, and he sighed. It's just as well you left, Lily.
She wouldn't want the credit of this, he knew. And, of course, the Wizarding World would die of shame if they knew that Tom's reign of terror was ended by a Muggle weapon.
Turning around, the Headmaster walked out of the house, casting a stasis charm as he went. He took one last look at the house, just as a bird settled down on his right shoulder.
Fawkes crooned a few sad notes.
God bless you, Lily, Harry.
Bird and man vanished in a burst of flame, with tears in their eyes.
Across the whole of Wizarding Britain, the atmosphere was one of celebration. The news had gotten around fast after the Minister's announcement, as good news always did. Nobody had a single clue as to the why and the how, but few cared.
Glasses clinked in honour of the "Saviour", as the Minister had called the unknown person who had, finally, stopped the force that had enveloped Britain in darkness for far too long.
The war was over, and that was all that mattered, for most people.
For some, though, it wasn't.
Minerva looked up sharply at the sound of Fawkes' arrival.
She began to ask a question. "Are they –"
The look on his face told her everything. She let out a sob, and Albus patted her shoulder. "Lily and Harry are all right. That's what's important."
After a short pause, he added, "She used a Muggle shotgun, did you know that?"
Both Professors chuckled softly at the thought. Regaining her composure, Minerva raised her wand, conjuring two butterbeers.
She raised one. "To the best Charms student Hogwarts has ever had."
Albus nodded, taking a long swig of his butterbeer.
"To the saviour of the wizarding world."
On top of the Astronomy tower, a lone figure stood, his cloak billowing out behind him.
A few tears streaked his face, as he recalled the memories he had of her.
He took out his wand, and cast something he thought was apt to remember her with.
The silver doe galloped out into the night as he turned to leave.
A/N: I hope nobody found that too boring... whether you did or not, please review! Thanks!