Later, when Harry was tucked up in the infirmary under the watchful eye of Madame Pomfrey, he found himself wondering at the anti-climatic nature of Voldemort's attack and defeat. Sure it had been terrifying, but he'd always imagined that when he and Voldemort eventually met it would be…more.

As it was, Voldemort's defeat seemed more like a postscript to the rest of the evening. He thought that if in the future people were to ask him about this day, his answer would be: 'I became the Triwizard Champion, oh, and I defeated Voldemort.' Surely the death of Voldemort ought to be a little more important to him?

Despite the fact that his only injuries were a broken leg and some post-cruciatus trembling, both which were healed within an hour of him being carried into the infirmary, Madame Pomfrey refused to release Harry until the next morning. But, as Harry dressed for breakfast, he couldn't help but wish that she'd kept him a little longer. He had no idea how the school was reacting the previous evening's events and didn't want to walk into the Great Hall unprepared.

Once he had ensured that his hair was perfectly coiffed (he hadn't attended a school meal with messy hair since his first year and he wasn't about to start now), Harry presented himself to Madame Pomfrey.

"No flying." She reminded him sternly. "No duelling. Your leg might be healed, but you still need to give it some time."

Harry nodded earnestly. "Yes, ma'am."

Madame Pomfrey didn't look convinced, but she sighed. "You can go."

"Thank you, ma'am." Harry acknowledged. "Merry part."

He strode out of the infirmary, wondering at the complete lack of pain in his leg – it was as though it had never been broken.

"Merry meet." Neville's voice broke through his wonderings.

Harry turned towards the voice and smiled at the sight of Neville and Draco leaning against one of the walls. "Merry meet."

Draco nodded in agreement, as he pushed himself off the wall. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." Harry answered, falling into step beside Neville as they walked towards the Great Hall.

"Professor Lupin told me that she was letting you out for breakfast." Neville answered Harry's unspoken question. "He thought you might like some company. How are you really?"

"Fine." Harry said again. "Honestly. Though I'm not entirely convinced that yesterday actually happened. How are you both?"

Neville grinned. "Brilliant! Bellatrix and Rodolphus were both killed last night and Rabastan was arrested by Aurors."

Harry's stomach twisted uncomfortably as he glanced towards Draco to see if his cousin was upset at his relatives' deaths. He hadn't considered that more people than just Voldemort might have died. "Did many people on our side died?"

Neville's expression sobered. "Four, I didn't recognise any of their names though."

"Gawain Roberts, John Dawlish, Dorcas Underhill, and Ananias Meadows." Draco answered. "They were all Aurors. A lot more were injured, but they are being treated at St. Mungo's.

Harry sighed. "How many Death Eaters were killed?"

"I don't know." Draco admitted, while Neville shrugged in agreement. "A lot, and a lot more were arrested. A few got away though."

"They'll get them." Harry declared confidently. "Between Lord Malfoy and Professor Severus' testimonies they should be able to figure out who is missing."

"One of the younger aurors tried to arrest Professor Snape." Neville commented, his voice amused. "You should have seen Headmistress McGonagall's reaction."

Harry grinned at the image his brain conjured. "How are your parents, Draco?"

Draco entire face lit up. "They apparated back last night. Uncle Severus has arranged for me to be having morning tea with Mother. Father will be busy working with the Ministry."

Harry grinned. "That's great. How is everyone else?"

"Everyone, as in our friends, or the entire school?" Neville asked.

"Both."

"Our friends are fine – worried about you, but more relieved than anything." Neville told him. "Last night was a bit upsetting, but afterwards Professor Lupin invited us back to his quarters and gave us hot chocolate to drink, chocolate to eat, and kept us updated."

Harry smiled, Remus was amazing. "And the school?"

"Well, I can only speak for Gryffindor, but they're relieved, disbelieving, guilty, and ashamed." Neville shrugged. "You can probably expect to receive a few hundred apologies if the other Houses are feeling the same. Ron though…"

Harry groaned. "Oh, don't tell me."

"He's convinced that you only defeated You-Know-Who so that you could take his place." Neville finished apologetically. "Nobody's listening to him, of course. You're the Boy-Who-Defeated-You-Know-Who-Twice, I don't think you could do anything wrong in their eyes."

"I'd make a joke about it being the perfect time for me to take over the world, but someone would probably overhear it and they'd all hate me again." Harry commented dryly.

"Most of Slytherin is relieved." Draco said. "There were a few people who seemed less than pleased that You-Know-Who was gone last night, but I passed their names onto Uncle Severus. He said that they would probably be called into the Ministry for questioning."

Neville looked pleased. "Beyond that, I think everyone is holding onto hope that McGonagall will cancel the rest of the exams."

Harry head spun around to stare at his friend in horror. "What? She can't do that!"

Neville laughed again. "Don't you think that everyone might be a little distracted?"

"So she could postpone them." Harry suggested. "The Hogwarts' Express doesn't leave until next week. Maybe we could take them next week instead?"

Neville rolled his eyes as they entered the Great Hall. "What about the OWL and NEWT students? They've got some exams next week anyway.

"Yes, my Ancient Runes exam is next Wednesday." Harry commented, before stopping in surprise as the other students noticed his entrance and suddenly began cheering.

The Gryffindor Table was the loudest, as they always were, but all of the other tables were putting in a good effort as well. The Slytherins were even joining in, though their applause was much more reserved than the other Tables' cheers.

Harry's gaze swept across the hall, his expression carefully dispassionate, before he gave them a sharp nod of acknowledgement. "They hated me yesterday." He commented as they began walking towards the Slytherin Table.

"Yesterday you hadn't defeated You-Know-Who." Neville pointed out, as the cheers died down around them.

Harry frowned as some Ravenclaws tried to wave him over to sit with them. "They've made my life miserable for months, they can't seriously think that I'm just going to forget that."

Neville's expression was grim. "You're going to have to forgive them eventually. We've got three years left, you can't live at odds with the entire school until you graduate."

Draco snorted disparagingly.

"Not the entire school," Harry denied, as they approached their usual spot at the Slytherin Table where some of their friends were waiting. "I have nothing against the Slytherins."

"Of course you don't." Draco agreed, haughtily. "Who could?"

"Well, to start with – three quarters of the school." Neville pointed out, sliding into the seat beside Luna as Harry walked around the table to his seat beside Daphne who smiled welcomingly at him.

Draco waved a hand dismissively as he sat down. "Their opinion is hardly important."

"The school's opinion of Harry certainly seems to have changed." Theo commented, looking over at the other tables.

Harry served himself some eggs. "I think I would have respected them more if they had stuck to their opinions."

"No, you wouldn't of." Daphne disagreed.

"No," Harry admitted. "But at least it would have been so pathetic."

"If I might have you attention." Headmistress McGonagall's voice suddenly echoed around the hall, causing all the conversation to die off.

Harry twisted around in his seat to give her is full attention, before reaching for his goblet of Pumpkin Juice. He really hoped that she wasn't about to announced that their exams were cancelled.

"I hope that you all enjoyed a good sleep, safe from any worries regarding You-Know-Who." McGonagall told them, her eyes flicking towards Harry. "Despite what rumours might be tell you, your end of year exams will not be cancelled, nor will they be postponed."

Harry's pleased smile was at odds with the groans of disappointment that filled the hall.

"The only student who will receive an exemption from his exams is Mr. Potter." McGonagall continued to Harry's horror.

"That's not fair!" Harry whispered in frustration.

Neville looked amused. "It's not as though they'll stop you from taking the exams if you really want to, Harry. They're just giving you an out."

Harry felt silly, of course they wouldn't stop him from taking his exams. He nodded his thanks to Neville, before turning his attention back to McGonagall.

"…ceremony this evening after the evening meal. Thank you."

"What was that last part?" Harry asked Daphne, as the conversations around the hall started up again.

"The Triwizard Award Ceremony is going to be tonight." Daphne answered. "They couldn't have it last since you were indisposed."

"Not to mention that all the adults were a bit busy rounding up the Death Eaters." Theo commented.

"Who did they get?" Harry asked curiously.

"Who didn't they get?" Theo asked rhetorically. "They got Crabbe and Goyle's fathers, Marcus Flint, Alistair Gibbon – he graduated last year, Petrov Avery – he was a prefect when we were first years, not to mention Gibbon and Avery's fathers. Lord and Lady Lestrange were killed, apparently Lord Black killed Lady Lestrange in a duel, and Heir Lestrange was arrested. Rumour has it that he's going to be given the kiss – along with all the other Death Eaters who have escaped from Azkaban."

"Without a trial?" Harry asked in concern.

"They've already had a trial." Neville reminded him. "They had a trial and were sentenced to Azkaban for life. Apparently there's a law that says that anyone who escapes Azkaban automatically increases their sentence to a Dementor's Kiss."

"It's never been used before, because no one had ever broken out of Azkaban before You-Know-Who broke out his Death Eaters last year." Draco added.

50-50-50

Harry's day sped by quickly, especially since his morning was taken up by reading through all his DADA notes for his exam that afternoon. After his exam he joined his friends out by the lake until five thirty when a second year found him and told him that he was being summoned to the Headmistress' office.

Sirius, McGonagall, and Bagman were all waiting for him in the office, along with the five other Triwizard Champions and the two other Headmistresses and, as Harry nodded in acknowledgement to the various bows and curtsies he had received, he studied the other Champions' expressions for any sign that they were feeling malcontented regarding his win.

He was surprised to find nothing negative in any of their expressions – though Aceline's expression was as haughty as usual. Surely they were frustrated to have beaten by someone so much younger than them?

"Excellent." Bagman rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Now, I'm sure you know why we're all here?"

Harry was hard pressed not to roll his eyes. "Presumably to discuss the Award Ceremony."

"Precisely!" Bagman beamed at him. "Though I'm sure it seems insignificant given the ceremonies in your future, aye, Harry?"

Harry glanced towards Sirius in confusion.

"Minister Fudge wanted to award you your Order of the Merlin, First Class tonight too," Bagman continued. "But your godfather here managed to talk him out of it. Good thing too – wouldn't want to give you too many awards all at once. Might give you an inflated ego."

Harry bit his tongue to prevent himself from asking all the questions he wanted to. He was getting an Order of Merlin, First Class? Why hadn't anyone told him? But then, he hadn't seen Sirius since the night before – his godfather had been busy dealing with the repercussions of the previous night's events and apparently trying to talk Fudge out of highjacking the Triwizard Award Ceremony.

Sirius was eyeing Bagman with thinly veiled disdain. "Why don't you explain the details of this evening, Ludo? I'm sure the Champions are eager to join their friends at dinner."

"Right," Bagman nodded eagerly. "It's quite simple really. The Triwizard Cup will be brought in and all six of you will stand in a line behind it. Then I will spend some time reminding the audience of each of your highlights in the Tournament, before finally discussion Mr. Potter's highlights – the last of which was his victory. At that point Mr. Potter will receive his prizes, one thousand galleons and eternal glory and honour, and the Triwizard Cup will be placed into Headmistress McGonagall's safekeeping until the next Triwizard Tournament is held. Any questions?"

Harry was tempted to ask just they were planning on awarding him with eternal glory and honour, but he managed to refrain.

"Good, good." Bagman beamed at them. "Well, off you go then. It's almost time for dinner."

" 'e is an eediot." Fleur exclaimed once they reached the bottom of the staircase that lead to the Headmistress' office. "I weel be glad not to 'ave to see 'im again."

"Lucky you." Cedric sighed glumly, Fleur's hand tucked in his own. "He's friends with my dad. I see him a lot when I'm home."

Fleur gave him a sly look. "Zen perhaps you should find some ozzer place to be. A 'oliday or somezzing. Perhaps in France?"

"Perhaps." Cedric agreed fondly, before turning his attention to Harry. "How are you feeling, Harry?"

"Fine." Harry answered honestly. "Madame Pomfrey does good work. How are you?"

"Well, given that I was taken out with a simple stunner, more embarrassed than anything." Cedric admitted, shaking his head.

"Better a stunner than a giant rock." Nina groused without heat.

"Better a giant rock than the sharp pointy remains of a giant rock." Viktor retorted.

"You are all just lucky zat 'arry did not attempt to burn you to a crisp." Fleur commented.

"You're a Veela," Harry pointed out. "It didn't even singe your hair."

Fleur tossed her hair haughtily. "Non, but eet would 'ave singed zeirs."

"You know, when they reneverated me, and told me what happened, I felt embarrassed to have been taken down by a fourteen year old." Cedric admitted. "But that only lasted about twenty minutes, because there is absolutely no shame in being bested by the wizard who killed You-Know-Who."

Harry flushed uncomfortably. "It was only luck. He definitely beat me in the duel."

"What exactly happened?" Cedric asked, as they entered the Great Hall. "I was stuck in the Healing Tent with Pomfrey so I missed it, and all anyone can tell me is that You-Know-Who just seemed to collapse."

Harry looked around and realised that the other four Champions were listening intently. Knowing Madame Pomfrey they had probably been trapped in the Healing Tent too. "I used a wandless stunner." He admitted quietly, not wanting his voice to carry through the hall. "Voldemort had disarmed me and was about to kill me, but I shot a stunner into his ankle."

"You can do wandless magic?" Cedric asked loudly.

Harry winced as the entire hall seemed to still and turn their focus on him. "Just a few spells."

"Zat is an incredible achievement for someone so young." Fleur commented.

"It's an incredible achievement for anyone." Cedric declared. "No wonder you won."

50-50-50

The ceremony went just as Bagman had told them it would and, aside from Bagman's overly enthusiastic moment by moment description of Harry's actions during the three tasks, it wasn't a painful as Harry had thought it would be.

After the ceremony was over, and Harry had been awarded with a large bag of Galleons, McGonagall dismissed the students and Harry took the opportunity to escape to Remus' quarters. He'd had enough of being stared at, though admittedly he did prefer the awed stares to the terrified and hostile stares he had been receiving for the last few months, and having random students, who had never spoken to him before, attempt to thank him for what he had done. He hadn't done it for them!

Remus' quarters were empty when Harry arrived, so he settled down in one of the armchairs and pulled his book out of his bag. He had only managed to read a few pages of 'Elder Futhark Runes: A Defence' when Remus and Sirius arrived together.

"I thought we might find you here." Remus smiled as the door swung shut behind him.

"I needed some space." Harry admitted.

"And what's wrong with my quarters?" Sirius asked in mock offence. "Quarters which you share with me, I might add."

"They're not as…cosy." Harry explained unapologetically. "Besides, the Tournament is over. Aren't you being evicted?"

"I am." Sirius sighed mournfully, as he flopped into the armchair opposite Harry's. "But only because McGonagall's heart is as cold as a Dementor's soul."

Remus' back was to them, as he retrieved some mugs from the cupboard, but Harry could still tell that the wizard was rolling his eyes.

"What about me?" Harry asked worriedly. "Do I have to go back to Ravenclaw Tower?"

"No." Sirius reassuringly. "McGonagall clearly favours you over me and is allowing you to stay in my quarters until the end of the year. It's probably because you defeated Voldemort."

"You don't think that it could be because Harry actually has a reason to be here?" Remus asked, passing first Harry, and then Sirius, a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

Harry sniffed it experimentally. "Is this the hot chocolate that my old dorm mates sell?"

"It is." Remus nodded, as he retrieved his own mug. "You were right. It's the best hot chocolate I've ever had."

"Which, coming from Remus, is really saying something." Sirius commented fondly.

Harry sipped at his drink with a contented smile. "What about next year? Will I have to go back to the Ravenclaw Tower then?"

"That depends." Sirius answered. "Given last night's events, and the school's reaction to them, it is unlikely that the Ravenclaws will reject your presence next year, or that you will be able to claim that you are concerned for your health and wellbeing being there."

"Just because they've decided to get over their irrational stupidity, doesn't mean that I have." Harry grumbled.

"There is another option." Sirius told him. "There is a precedent for students, who are the Head of their Houses, being given their own quarters. It hasn't happened for at least a century, but the argument could be made."

Harry grinned. "That sounds amazing!"

"There is a downside though." Sirius cautioned. "You wouldn't be able to be a prefect. According to the Hogwarts' rules, all prefects must sleep in their Houses' dormitories. Now, don't tell anyone I told you this but, according to McGonagall, you're a sure in for Ravenclaw prefect next year – so long as you return to your dorm."

Harry grimaced, he'd always dreamed of being a prefect.

"You don't have to decide now." Sirius told him. "But McGonagall will need to know by the end of July so that they know who to send the prefect badge to."

"I think you should remember that it wasn't just the Ravenclaws who were horrible to you." Remus put in. "The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs weren't any better. You shouldn't place all the blame on one House."

"The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs didn't kick me out of my own dormitory." Harry retorted. "And I won't have to sleep in the same room as any of them."

Sirius shrugged. "Anyway, you've got a few months to decide what you want to do. On other matters, how are you feeling?"

"Frustrated with all the Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors who have suddenly decided that they want to be my best friend." Harry answered grumpily, before letting out a long sigh. "But otherwise I'm fine. My DADA exam went well today."

Remus grinned. "I told McGonagall you wouldn't want to be exempted from your remaining exams."

Sirius leaned forward, his hands wrapped around the mug of hot chocolate. "You aren't feel upset about last night?"

"Not really," Harry answered guiltily. "I know I should be, I killed Voldemort. I actually cut his head off with my sword." He shuddered at the memory. "It was horrible, and I don't like thinking about all the blood, but I don't feel bad about it. He was evil, and if I hadn't killed him – he would have killed me and a whole bunch of other people. Not to mention that the prophecy said I would do it, or could do it, or something, so in a way I feel as though I just did what I was supposed to do."

"I'm glad." Sirius told him with a small smile. "I'd hate for you to be beating yourself up about it."

"I'm not." Harry reassured him. "At most, I feel bad that I don't feel bad. I feel worse about the four aurors who died."

"Their deaths are not your fault." Sirius told him quickly.

"I know." Harry nodded. "But I still wish they hadn't died."

"Don't we all, kiddo." Sirius sighed. "Don't we all."

There was a long pause, before Remus broke it. "On a slightly brighter note, Harry, you can do wandless magic?"

"Yes." Harry felt himself grinning. "Only six spells, but I'm learning my seventh."

"That's extraordinary." Remus exclaimed, while Sirius just grinned proudly. "Sirius said that's how you turned the tables on Voldemort?"

"I cast a stunner into his ankle." Harry admitted proudly. "If I hadn't, I'd be dead."

Remus shook his head in amazement. "That's extraordinary!" He repeated. "What other spells can you do wandlessly?"

50-50-50

The week and a half until the Hogwarts Express departed for the Summer was torturously long, made even longer by the fact that the other students didn't seem to understand that he didn't want to forgive them for ostracising him for months and he certainly didn't want to be friends with them.

Eventually though, he was on the train, locked safely in a carriage with his friends and away from the constant staring, and only hours away from having two and a half months of holiday.

"Just imagine how much they're going to adore you after you and Draco take the Under Seventeen Quidditch League by storm!" Theo commented with a grin.

"I doubt most of them even know the League exists." Harry pointed out. "Fred and George's popularity didn't rise because they played in it two years ago."

"First of all, yes, it did." Theo retorted. "How did you not notice that?"

"He spends most of his time with Slytherins." Neville pointed out. "Slytherins who wouldn't have admitted to admiring a Weasley at wandpoint. Trust us, Harry, Fred and George and very, very popular among the right crowd."

"Which is to say non-traditional Quidditch idiots." Daphne commented acerbically.

"At first, yes." Neville agreed. "But their fan base has actually expanded this year. Once it became known that they were friends with Harry and Draco, the traditionalists started getting on board too."

"I'm not friends with them!" Draco protested loudly.

Harry snorted. "Yes, you are, Draco!"

"I am not!" Draco denied. "They're acquaintances."

Harry shook his head. "You're friends, don't try and deny it. We all know you like them."

"Anyway," Theo broke in. "Secondly, you defeated V-V-Voldemort, if you play in the Quidditch League, everyone will become a fan of it. The team that gets you is going to immediately become the most popular."

Harry rolled his eyes. "We don't even know that Draco and I are going to get into a team."

"Of course we are." Draco said, looking at Harry strangely. "Who wouldn't want us on their team? We're excellent!"

Neville chuckled, before quickly holding up his hands defensively when Draco glared at him. "I'm not disagreeing. You are both very good. When are the try-outs?"

"Next Thursday." Harry answered, since Draco was still glaring at Neville. "It's going to be a busy week."

"It's going to be a busy summer." Draco corrected. "Between our tutoring sessions with Mother, our Quidditch practises, our Quidditch Games, Wizengamot sessions…"

"Sirius is planning on entering me into some Duelling Competitions." Harry added. "Not in England, since they don't allow people under seventeen to enter, but maybe in Bulgaria, or wherever Sirius takes me for our holiday."

"It's probably a good thing that you won't be entering the English ones." Neville commented. "I think everyone would be too scared to duel Voldemort's Vanquisher here."

Harry grimaced. "I think I preferred 'the Boy-Who-Lived'."

"It made you sound too young." Daphne pointed out. "It would have sounded ridiculous if they'd still been calling you that in thirty years. V-Voldemort's Vanquisher will last you your entire life."

"I hope they're not still calling me that in thirty years." Harry moaned.

"Face it, Harry. If they're still bringing up the fact that Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, they're not going to forget that you vanquished Voldemort when you were fourteen." Neville said.

"I haven't heard anyone mention Dumbledore's history with Grindelwald in months." Harry pointed out.

"That's because now they're focussing on the fact that he's a fugitive." Daphne told him.

"There you are, Harry." Theo grinned. "All you have to do is do something to make the aurors arrest you, and then evade arrest and you'll be fine."

"Except that he'd be on the run." Neville rolled his eyes.

"Then I suppose you have to pick which option you'd prefer." Theo told Harry. "Would you rather be known as Voldemort's Vanquisher? Or be on the run from the law?"

"That's a hard one." Harry said, his expression serious.

Daphne sniffed. "I hope you realise that I wouldn't go on the run with you."

"Or then again," Harry started quickly. "Maybe it's not so hard after all."

50-50-50

Author's Note: Well, folks, we're almost there. Just the epilogue left, which I'll post on Tuesday. I just wanted to take this opportunity to apologise to all of you who were desperately holding out to see Harry do something with his knowledge of Rita's animagus form. In all honesty I completely forgot about it when I was writing the end of this story and, when I read through it again looking for somewhere to slot it in, it occurred to me that Harry likely forgot about it too (what with him beheading Voldemort and all that). This isn't to say that Harry won't deal with it, because of course he would, but I haven't (nor will I) written that scene. I shall simply leave it up to your imagination. Sorry again for all of you who were really looking forward to seeing that scene.