Chapter Thirty-One; The Baptism

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Snape walked out of the castle together for the last time still wearing their graduation robes as they wheeled their suitcases down the hill. "Well this is it, I can't believe we're finally finished at Hogwarts." Hermione said.

"Yeah, but that just means we're ready to start our next adventure." Harry said as Snape smiled at them.

"Well I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm really going to miss you two." He said to Ron and Hermione. "It's been a honor teaching you these last several years and it is my pleasure to forever call you friends of mine." He said as Hermione giggled.

"Oh don't worry, we'll be over so much that you'll be sick of us." She told him as they came to a sudden stop at the bottom of the hill and turned to face him before Hermione wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and embraced him. "Goodbye." She told him rubbing the back of his shoulders.

"Take care." He told her as he hugged her back and kissed her cheek before they broke out of the embrace and she wheeled her suitcase onto the train.

"See you Snape. In fact I think we'll be seeing you on Sunday for church." Ron told him.

"Well then, see you later Weasley." Snape said as he stuck out his hand for Ron to shake before he pulled him into a hug and patted his back with a grin before slowly letting go of him and letting him climb onto the train as well. "Well c'mon son we better go. Tobey's already waiting for us." He said as he and Harry exchanged grins before they climbed onto the train one after another.

…

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross.

The emblem of suffering and shame.

And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best,

For a world of lost sinners was slain!

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross! (old rugged cross)

Till my trophies at last I lay down.

I will cling to the old rugged cross! (old rugged cross)

And exchange it someday for a crown.

"Thank you, you may be seated." The pastor said as everyone inside their pews suddenly sat down. "Now today is a very special day because three of our people have made their wishes to be baptized. Two of them were already christened as infants but we will not refuse anyone who willingly has decided to come to Jesus. So Harry, Ron, Hermione, if you'll follow me this way please." He said as Harry, Ron, and Hermione all stood up and followed him over to the tank of water wearing their dark green baptismal robes.

Hermione was the first one who climbed up into the tank and stood in front of the pastor. "Hermione Granger, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit." He said as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes while he dunked her underwater before she came back up to the surface a few seconds later so Harry could have his turn next. "Harry Snape, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit." He said as Harry plugged his nose and quickly shut his eyes as he was dunked into the water.

A few moments later he arose and started to cough while Hermione finished drying off and wrapped her towel around her shoulders. "Are you alright?" she asked him as Harry nodded but continued to cough as he stepped out of the water and then finally Ron had his turn.

"Ronald Weasley, I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit." The pastor said as he dunked him inside the water before he turned his attention back to the rest of the church as the three of them continued drying off. "Let's give all three of them a hand." He said as everyone stood up and started applauding and cheering for them just like they had done at their graduation. "Now before we close, Harry has something that he wants to say. So go ahead Harry." The pastor said as he sat down and Harry took his place behind the stand.

"Uh yes, thank you." Harry began. "You see, I know that for anyone who has read the Daily Prophet already knows by now that I defeated the dark lord. Although what most people don't know is how I did. Back at Christmas I spoke about how difficult it must have been for Jesus to know that He had to die on that cross in order for us all to be saved. However I didn't realize how difficult until I had to go through it myself.

However once I got to Heaven, that's when I only truly understood that God has a purpose for everything. There was a purpose why I went there and there is a purpose why I came back. I just recently lost my dog. And let me tell you something, for those of you have never lost an animal I can tell you that it is the hardest thing in the world to go through and I wouldn't wish it on anyone." He said with a shake of his head. "Everyone always says how the word dog is God spelled backwards and it wasn't until just recently that I found out the reason why.

My dog Cowboy was a little dog with a big heart, and he knew what trouble he was facing when he gave up his life for me. But he did it anyway just because he loved me. There's a story in the Bible that talks about a young boy standing up to an enormous giant and all he has to defend him is a slingshot and a stone. And it's not when God tells him that he can defeat the giant that he does, it's when he starts having faith that he can that he ends up killing the giant.

For I thank God that I have such great friends and family who believed me in enough that I was finally able to believe in myself. But that was only after I trusted God with all of my heart to help me win the battle. It's like when you're first starting to learn how to walk, you have to have your Mum or Dad holding your hand and guiding you on your way. And you know that if you fall, they'll always be right there to pick you up again and set you back on your feet. So I guess what I'm really saying is that all we do is magic, and we have the choice whether or not we want to use it for good or evil.

But God is always good, and He performs miracles. Now you might not always see them, but they're everywhere around us. Like the cries of a newborn baby, or a spider spinning its web. We just have to look hard enough, and here is a good place to start." Harry said as he picked up his copy of The Holy Bible and held it up. "For you'll find it written down on practically every page. Miracles do happen, but only if you truly believe." He said.