Chapter 12: A Hero's Funeral

Albus stood still, just outside the hallway that he had chased Travers down, and watched the scene unfold. Once the remaining Death Eaters had seen Voldemort's dead body, they had surrendered to the Ministry. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as parents and children hugged, rejoicing in their survival. It was as if the world was realizing that it was finally over and time itself was taking a deep breath.

But not every reunion was a happy one. Scorpius Malfoy was leaning over the form of his father, trying very hard to fight back tears. Albus turned away out of respect, but the scene was all too prevalent in the lobby. Children were crying over the lifeless bodies of their parents, sometimes with the comforting hand of another parent, trying hard to remain strong for their child. Most were failing. But there were also adults weeping over the lifeless body of their children. Albus felt a tear reach the corner of his own eye. This was all his fault. If he had only killed Travers in the desert or in the graveyard, none of this would have happened. Or if he had just disobeyed his father, skipped his fifth year and hunted Travers down. Then he could have...

What? He could have what? His dad had much more experience hunting dark wizards and it had taken him almost a year to find Travers. How could Albus have done any better?

"It's not your fault," Ashley Wright said, walking up beside him. "You couldn't have done anything differently and succeeded."

"I had him. I had him so many times. If only I had killed him then. Look at all these people. Children have been orphaned, parents have lost their children and it's all my fault. If I hadn't failed all these people would still be alive. You'd still be alive."

Ashley grabbed him and turned him toward her. She stared him straight in the eyes. "Albus, listen to me. It's not your fault that Travers turned so evil. It's not your fault that Travers raised Grindelwald and Voldemort and all of these people knew the risks when they came here. I knew the risks Albus. And if I had known the outcome at the start, I still would have left." She eased her grip before continuing. "Besides, not all the reunions are bad. Look there," she said, pointing to where Remus and Tonks Lupin were laughing with their son Teddy. "Teddy would never have gotten to meet his parents," she said. "And look, Neville is able to talk to his parents. Did you know that they understood and treasured everything he said to them while they were in St. Mungo's? Now they get to tell him that. If you had killed Travers, that wouldn't have happened either, Albus. Life has twists and turns that we can never predict. Don't hold yourself responsible for what you can't control."

The two stood hand in hand watching the sad and happy groups around the room. Suddenly an ancient wizard appeared in the middle of the lobby, a wizard with a scythe in his hand. "It's time," he said.

Ashley turned to Albus. "Albus promise me something," she said.

"Anything," he said.

"Promise me you'll live a life," she said.

"But, what do you mean?" he asked. "I'm going with you."

"No, Albus," she said. "You never really died. You can't go back. Promise me you'll live a life. Get married, have kids. Love them, love your wife. Promise me."

"No, I'll go in place of you. You can't die, you just can't," Albus said.

"It doesn't work like that," she said.

"But I'm master of death!" he said. "He'll do anything I tell him to!"

"No he won't," she said. "Owning the three Hallows and not using them earns Death's respect. You can choose when you die. But Death is not your slave just because you have a few things that mortals came up with. Your powers don't extend beyond yourself unless Death lets them and he's not too willing to give up what is his."

"But…" Albus started.

"No," Ashley said. Just please promise me you'll live a life."

"I...I...I can't. No one would ever compare to you."

"Albus," she said, beginning to fade. "If you don't, I'll never talk to you again, and never is a long time in the afterlife."

"I promise," Albus said.

"I love you," they both said as Ashley faded away and was gone, leaving Albus feeling very much alone.

Three days later, Albus stood along a London side street which was lined with witches and wizards from around the world. The Ministry had spent the better part of a day repairing the landmarks destroyed in the battle. Hopefully the muggles wouldn't notice the damage but there would always be some new cracks and marks. Battles always left their mark on the battlefield.

Each of the people who had died defending the Ministry had just had a mass funeral service, during which several high ranking officials said wonderful things about people they had never known. It was a typical, political funeral. Now they were being paraded down the side street on their way to the Ministry's official graveyard, similar to the American muggle Arlington National Cemetery. If the families wished, they could be buried there, otherwise the bodies would be loaded up into hearses and taken wherever the family wanted free of charge.

Albus was looking for one casket in particular. It was about halfway through the procession; a deep, sea green casket which contained the body of Draco Malfoy. Harry Potter had stood up for Draco in the aftermath of the battle, and, with the help of Nicolas Flamel, they had proven Draco a hero in the end.

Albus spotted the casket at the far end of his vision. Scorpius Malfoy had been joined by several of his cousins as pall bearers along with Harry Potter. He felt he owed it to Draco to honor him in that way. Albus kept his eyes focused on the casket as they walked down the street. As the casket passed, Scorpius found him in the crowd and nodded at him. Albus nodded back as they passed by.

"Incredible the way that one good act can undo a lifetime of bad ones, isn't it?" a man said next to Albus. Albus looked at him. It was Severus Snape. He turned to smile at Albus. "You're wanted in the coffee shop," he said and then turned and disappeared into the crowd. Albus didn't quite believe what had happened, but figured that there wasn't any harm in going to the coffee shop. He walked in the door.

The muggles had been gone for several days, the Ministry planned to let them back in tomorrow, but the air in the coffee shop was still damp with the smell of coffee. There was only one other person in the shop, a tall, elegant and ancient looking wizard. He smiled when he saw Albus.

"You're missing your scythe," Albus said.

The wizard motioned for him to sit down. "I'm not here to collect," he said. "I'm here to thank. You did me a great service, I owe you a reward."

"I didn't do it for you," Albus said.

"I know, but I benefited none the less. You led my army, in my name, against Voldemort. You deserve a reward. Anything you want."

"You know what I want," Albus said in spite of himself. "And you won't give it."

"I take it you don't want a stone to resurrect the dead then?" he asked, a touch of sarcasm on his voice.

"Already got one, thanks," Albus said, pulling out the stone.

"And yet you haven't used it," Death said.

Albus nodded. "She doesn't belong here anymore, using the stone would be wrong for her."

Death smiled. "You truly did love her then," he said.

"Well, since there is nothing you can offer me, I'd like you to have this," Albus said, handing the stone to Death. "And this," he said pulling out the Elder Wand and handing it over.

Death looked strangely at him. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"I am giving them back. They're mine; I'm free to give them to who I want. They're more trouble than their worth and this is the only way to rid the world of them."

The two stood in silence. Finally, Death reached out and tenderly took the stone and the wand. He put them away. "You're an interesting case, Albus Potter," he said. "I look forward to watching your career unfold." Death walked to the door of the coffee shop and turned back to Albus. "And that reward you wanted, it's already been delivered at home," he said and walked out into the crowd.

Three years later, Albus Potter stood in front of a mirror, tightening a knot in his dress robes.

"You'll be fine," Ginny Potter said. "You took on Voldemort one on one, you can do anything."

"I'd rather have Voldemort right now," Albus said. Ginny straightened his tie again.

"It's time," Harry said, entering the room. "You look great son."

"Yeah right," James said, getting up from the couch. "You look like a stuffed raccoon."

"Thanks James," Albus said. They walked together out into the Burrow lawn. Today, the lawn was filled with people in chairs, a red carpet down a middle aisle which was made of live roses and a stage at the front. Albus and James walked up to the stage and got into position.

Suddenly all the people in the crowd stood up and turned toward the house. Albus didn't look. "She looks beautiful," James said. Albus kept his eyes glued to the middle of the aisle where the girl soon showed up in view, her face down, watching her steps. Albus smiled, she did look beautiful. The girl stopped at the end of the aisle and looked up at Albus. Albus was sure he would remember that smile for the rest of his life. His insides started turning in knots.

It always did that when Ashley Wright, or Potter after today, smiled at him.

END OF ALBUS POTTER AND THE NECROMANCER

A/N: A big thank you to all my reader and a big thank you to everyone who reviewed. You are all amazing. This is the final chapter of the story. I hope that I answered all your questions here. If not, please leave them in a review and I will answer them. I am thinking that I will post another chapter with answers to the questions on September 1. That means that the questions must be in by August 31. Any questions are allowed, but I might not answer them all ;-) I stole the idea of a Q&A chapter from gumibear8745, who is an amazing author. I doubt she owns it though...