More Than an Epilogue
(an original Harry Potter story by TomBombadil and Odie-san. Previously published at )
No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit has been made from this story.
Characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Time/Warner; It's their world, we're just playing here.
A/N: This story is rated M for a multiple reasons. Certain chapters contain some fairly harsh language and most after chapter 3 have some genuinely graphic descriptions of teen-sex. If you're a minor, look elsewhere. If you don't like this kind of story, look elsewhere.
CHAPTER 1 – UNFORESEEN OPTIONS
"I'm not sure it's going to be that simple, mate," protested Ron. "I don't think you realize what you've just done."
"Exactly what have I missed, Ron?" Harry asked as a sigh of frustration escaped from his exhausted lips.
"Look, Harry, I don't really know how to say this, but you just gave a room full of people a lesson in how to master the Elder Wand – a room full of people that included the entire sodding Malfoy family!"
"Shite! I did, didn't I?" exclaimed Harry, putting a hand to his head in frustration.
"It's okay, Harry," Hermione interjected softly. "I'm pretty sure everyone was too distracted by your confrontation with Voldemort to get any ideas about the Elder Wand."
"Thanks, Hermione, but I have a terrible feeling that Ron may be on to something. Fuck! I just felt like I had to give that sorry bastard one last chance to show some remorse for what he had done."
"And you wanted to do that for what reason?" asked Ron, totally mystified by his friend's motivation.
"Because of what Hermione told us about the restoration of souls that have been ripped by murder and the creation of Horcruxes," Harry answered. "The only way Tom Riddle could have salvaged his soul was to repent – to show true remorse for what he had done."
"And I repeat," added Ron, "you wanted to do that for what reason?"
"You didn't have to look at what was left of him at King's Cross, when Dumbledore told me he was beyond help. It was too sad for words."
"Oh, Harry," whispered Hermione, as her voice quivered with emotion. "He really didn't deserve that kind of opportunity."
"Maybe not, Hermione, but if you had seen the way he grew up – all alone in that horrible orphanage – you might feel differently."
"Bloody hell, Harry!" interjected Ron. "At least he wasn't raised by wizard-hating Muggles!"
Before Harry could reply, their peaceful conversation was interrupted by agitated voices approaching by way of the spiral staircase. Instinctively, Harry, Ron, and Hermione drew their wands and took what little shelter was offered by the furnishings of the Headmaster's office. They relaxed, however, as each recognized the unmistakably elegant voice of the temporary Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt. He was accompanied by Professor Minerva McGonagall, who sounded almost as stressed as she had when she discovered Harry and Luna inside the Ravenclaw Common Room immediately prior to the Battle of Hogwarts. As they reached the upper landing, just outside the open office door, the Minister stopped his ascent and turned to face Professor McGonagall.
"I don't understand why you're so upset about this, Minerva. You told me yourself that Harry's only ambition has been to become an Auror."
"That's true, Kingsley, but he's only seventeen. He hasn't even finished his education, and he's spent the better part of a year on the run – hiding from Voldemort, hiding from Death Eaters, hiding from bounty hunters, and even hiding from the Ministry of Magic! All that time, Potter and his friends have faced worse dangers than you or I could possibly imagine, and now you want to put him to work!"
"It's the work he wants to do, Minerva. Imagine what it would mean to the Wizarding World to have Harry Potter and his friends clean up the Auror Department."
"I never thought I'd see the day when you would want to use Harry Potter. It came as no surprise when Cornelius Fudge tried to use him for political gain. Rufus Scrimgeour turned out to be no better, at least when it came to Harry's best interests. But you, Kingsley?"
"I don't want to use him. I want to give him the chance to do the work he has always wanted to do. He won't be a figurehead like Fudge wanted. I'm talking about a real job. It's an important job! Maybe it will be the most important job ever offered to anyone, and Harry will get to stay with his best friends if they want to join him."
"Harry, Ron, and Hermione can take those jobs a year from now, and it won't make any difference!" huffed McGonagall. "There will be no time to reorganize anything for the next twelve months, and you know it. All the Aurors will be hunting down the remaining Death Eaters or preparing evidence for trial. Why not let them finish their formal education and then let them decide what they want to do?"
"I never suggested that Harry shouldn't be given a choice," replied the Minister. "And not just Harry – Hermione and Ron will be free to choose, as well. But do you think three heroes are going to want to come back to school after everything they have accomplished this year? Even with you back as Headmistress, I can't imagine them choosing to spend another year at Hogwarts rather than taking up key positions in government."
"Well, you may be right about Harry and Ron, but you had better mark my words, Kingsley. Hermione Granger will definitely be coming back to Hogwarts – especially when she finds out I am naming her as Head Girl."
Harry didn't know which came first, Hermione's squeal of delight or Ron's good-natured burst of laughter, but when he turned to look at his best friends, he found them smiling broadly at one another. Ron managed to cover the distance between them with three broad strides and swept her off the floor with an enthusiastic embrace. Whatever Ron whispered in her ear triggered a happy response, as Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him into a passionate kiss.
Harry's heart soared momentarily for his best friends before dropping to the pit of his stomach with a resounding thud. While truly happy that Ron and Hermione had finally overcome the insecurities that had kept them apart for so long, watching their unabashed display of affection made him ache desperately for a chance to be reunited with Ginny. Fueled by Harry's fierce determination, the pieces of a surprisingly simple plan began falling into place the moment he spotted the gob-smacked expressions of Minerva McGonagall and Kingsley Shacklebolt, who had finally entered the room.
"Oh, my!" exclaimed the Headmistress, who obviously hadn't expected to find her office occupied, much less by snogging students. She diverted her eyes from the sight of Ron and Hermione, who had yet to break their embrace. "Hello, Harry," she said, as a gentle smile crossed her normally taut face. "The Minister and I were just discussing you."
"Yes," answered Harry, returning her smile. "We couldn't help overhearing part of your conversation." Harry paused for a moment, directing his gazed toward Hermione and Ron. Raising his voice considerably, Harry continued, "I think Hermione was rather … excited … to hear of your decision."
As her name rang out across the office, Hermione finally broke off their kiss, and Ron gently lowered her feet to the floor. She turned to face the new arrivals without even a hint of embarrassment.
"Good morning, Headmistress," said Hermione. "Minister," she continued with a nod toward Kingsley Shacklebolt, "it's wonderful to see you."
Harry never ceased to be amazed by Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her age, and the person most responsible for keeping him alive long enough to reach his final confrontation with Lord Voldemort. In fact, her cool use of intellect and constant state of preparedness had kept them out of harm's way since their first year at Hogwarts. But Harry could not have possibly imagined the day when Hermione Jean Granger would be caught in a passionate embrace, only to turn to her Headmistress with as much poise as if she had been sitting at High Tea. It truly was a new world.
Ron, on the other hand, had turned a brilliant shade of crimson, the likes of which Harry had never before seen on a human being, magical or Muggle. Ron was not alone in his embarrassment, however, as Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister of Magic, stood silently, fidgeting like a schoolboy, with his eyes locked firmly upon the floor.
"Well, now," said Professor McGonagall, "as you have obviously already heard, Kingsley has some important business he would like to discuss with the three of you. However, I'd like for each of you to know that you are welcome to return to Hogwarts to finish your final year come the first of September." Kingsley Shacklebolt finally lifted his eyes from the floor, took a deep breath as if to speak, but was cut off by the Headmistress.
"And, before the Minister can sweeten his offers, let me add that I will also be asking Mr. Weasley, here, to serve as Head Boy. As for you, Harry … I would like for you to consider filling in as our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher while you have a chance to finish the rest of your coursework. You will be given your choice of housing, of course – a flat in the teachers' quarters, or you may remain in Gryffindor Tower."
Minerva McGonagall fidgeted nervously before finishing, "I had planned to offer the teaching post to Remus Lupin, after all he has done to support the Order, but … well … you know…"
Silence fell over the room at the mention of their friend's death. Harry fought unsuccessfully to choke back tears at the thought of his godson. Like Harry, Teddy Lupin had lost both parents in the battle against Voldemort. It had been one thing to read about the bittersweet taste of victory in battle, but everyone who remained in the battered castle this day had learned this harsh lesson by experience.
For many, including Harry, this had not been the first occasion on which they had lost loved ones. As the silence lingered for a few more seconds, during which time Harry reflected upon the loss of his parents, godfather, mentor, and friends. He rededicated himself to becoming a major part of his godson's life and, above all else, gave thanks that Ginny Weasley had not been one of the casualties.
"I've always planned to finish my education, so I will definitely be coming back to Hogwarts, Head Girl or not," said Hermione softly, but with a note of finality. "I'm honored that you would like me to work for the Ministry, but I'd really like to finish here and take some time to sort out exactly what I want to do."
"Well, if Hermione's coming back to school, then so am I," added Ron enthusiastically – perhaps a bit more enthusiastically than he had planned, for everyone else in the room chuckled lightly at his response.
Ron turned an even brighter shade of crimson and turned to Hermione, who smiled radiantly back at him before tenderly taking his hand in her own. For his part, Harry Potter was struck dumb by his friend's decision to return to school when his dream job lay open to him for the taking.
"Well," thought Harry, "Dumbledore always had said that love was the greatest of all powers."
At last, the Minister of Magic was given an opportunity to speak. "Harry, I know we have all asked a lot of you for so long, but I really need your help. I need someone I can trust to take over the Auror Department and make sure that it conforms to the highest ethical standards. I think you are the man for the job. You've defeated Voldemort and have earned the utmost in respect from everyone in the Wizarding World."
Harry tried to suppress the small laugh that struggled to escape his lips, failing miserably in the attempt.
"Is something funny, Harry?" asked the Minister in surprise.
"No, Minister, I really didn't mean to laugh. It's just that I killed Tom Riddle with Expelliarmus. It's hardly the kind of thing that would become legendary amongst a group of fully trained Aurors. It's really rather laughable."
"I'm not asking you to become their trainer", countered Shacklebolt. "I'm asking you to oversee their selection and make sure that everyone stays in compliance with our standards – to root out corruption before it can take over the department."
"I'm not sure anyone can do that. It sounds impossible to tell you the truth."
"That's why we need someone of unimpeachable moral standing, Harry – someone like you."
Harry grimaced at the Minister's words and looked directly at Professor McGonagall before asking, "Would that include someone who cast the Cruciatus Curse on Amycus Carrow?"
Hermione and Ron gasped simultaneously.
"I'm not a saint, Minister," Harry stated flatly. "In fact, I think you'd be rather disappointed with your selection."
"No one's looking for a saint, Harry. I know it's a big job, and my request is sudden. Still, I'd like to think it's a decision you could make to help us."
"Thanks for your confidence, but I'll have to think about it," said Harry before turning his gaze back to the Headmistress. "Just like I'll have to think about your offer, Professor. I won't be making any decisions on my own, anymore. There's someone I need to confer with before I … I mean we … make any major decisions."
"How long do you need, Harry? And, is there anything I can do to help?" asked Shacklebolt.
There was the opening Harry had been seeking. "Yes, there is something I need help with if you can spare me a half hour. I have to tell you, however, that it has nothing to do with your job offer."
"After what you've done for us, I'll do almost anything."
"Great! I need you to come with me to Diagon Alley. After the shite we pulled off yesterday, I don't think the goblins will welcome me back into Gringotts, and there is something I desperately need to get from my vault."
"I've already heard about that, and you're probably right," the Minister said with a twinkle in his eye. "I take it that you broke into the vault of Bellatrix Lestrange for a good reason?"
"Yes, Minister. That's where Voldemort was hiding one of his Horcruxes," answered Harry. "We had to get it in order to have any chance of killing him, and there really wasn't any other way…"
"That's all I need to know for now, Harry. I'll be happy to clear the way for you, no matter what you decide to do with your future."
"I can't thank you enough, Sir! Truly."
"When do you want to leave?"
"Just give me one minute. I need to ask a favor of Ron and Hermione."
With that said, Harry walked over to his best friends and pulled them close beside him. "Can you two please find Ginny, and ask her to meet me in the Gryffindor Common Room? In half an hour? Please?" A note of desperation was clear in Harry's voice.
"We'll try, mate," answered Ron.
"Don't try. Find her. Tell her I have to see her!" implored Harry with rising urgency.
"We will," said Hermione, a note of recognition coming to light in her eyes, before she turned to her boyfriend. "Come on Ronald! You heard the man."
Harry smiled gratefully, and then walked back across the room to address Professor McGonagall. "With the wards down, could we Apparate to Gringotts straight away?"
"Most certainly," she replied.
"The front steps of Gringotts, then, Minister?"
"Of course, Harry," said Kingsley graciously. "Please allow me to go first." Separated only by seconds, two soft pops were heard in the office that belonged, once again, to Minerva McGonagall.