Author Note: Chapter 8: The Final Chapter

I am drawing this one to a close as I want to work on this universe for a bit. Right now I need to consider the response of the bad guys, the various other factions, and what the ramifications of the mirror trap is going to have on them all. So I am closing this out.

Begin Chapter

The train ride back to Hogwarts had been filled with the usual excitement of seeing their friends once more and comparing notes on their holidays.

Once they arrived Hermione and her friends were intercepted by Dumbledore.

"Miss Granger, could you and your friends please come with me?"

"Is there a problem sir?" Hermione asked worriedly.

Smiling sadly he shrugged slightly, "It depends greatly on your point of view I suppose."

"What does that mean?" Harry asked with a scowl.

"It means that there is nothing wrong with the four of you. However the world has a great many things wrong with it. Things I would like to speak with you about when we have more time."
"Then what did you want to speak with us about tonight?" Lavender asked as Hermione patted Harry on the arm to calm him down.

"To let you know that nothing that has happened is your fault and that we are proud of the people you have turned out to be." He said then walked off stooped and tired looking.

Lavender shook her head, "I have no idea what just happened but that was incredibly odd."

"Perhaps he is getting wizard senility." Harry suggested.

Neville shrugged.

Entering the great hall they saw the high table had a pair of new faces sitting in place of Quirrel and Snape. The four of them looked at each other in confusion as did everyone else. The Slytherins seemed to be the most anxious and uncertain. Not surprising as their future was now in doubt without their biggest supporter.

Ron met them, "Hey guys. You didn't miss much here. It was rather boring."

"Did you acquire any of the information?" Harry inquired.

"Nah. Dumbledore said you'd take care of it." Ron replied looking at Hermione. He reached out and shoved her backwards.

"Hey what was that for?" Hermione demanded as she fell backwards into Neville.

"I dunno. It felt like a good idea." Ron said in confusion.

"Well try not to have that feeling again okay? I didn't appreciate that." Hermione grumped.

"Yeah sorry." Ron said shaking his head. "I dunno why I did that?'

"Ahh. Welcome back my friends. I trust that you had an enjoyable vacation, but now it is time to return to our task of cramming as much knowledge into one's hads as possible. Although only after cramming some excellent food into our bellies first." He chuckled causing a few laughs across the students.

"Before that though I must explain our missing professors. Professor Snape was offered a position with the Salem Institute. As such he chose to leave us and we wish him a great deal of luck in his endeavors. As for Professor Quirrel he had a health issue occur. This resulted in him deciding to retire to the Aegean for the waters and sunshine. Again we wish him all of the best." Dumbledore said with a smile. "Now let us welcome our new friends. Andromeda Tonks will be head of Slytherin House and potions professor while Mr Andrew Lockwood shall finish the year as defense professor."

There was a brief round of applause for both professors that was polite as everyone calculated what they knew.

"Very well. Now enough yammering on. I'm sure you are wanting the important part of the evening. Tuck in!" Dumbledore declared spreading his arms wide. The food suddenly appeared as usual causing Ron to grin and dig in. Hermione and Harry though frowned as they looked at each other.

After the feast Harry, Hermione, Neville, Ron and Lavender intercepted the headmaster.

"Sir what really happened?" Hermione demanded.

"Ahh. I see you desire the information now. The impatience of youth. Come along to my office then with your cadre."

…...

Dumbledore sat behind his desk as the cadre sat across from him. "Well what do you want to know first. I shall warn you though that should you touch upon something I feel you are not quite ready for I shall dissemble."

Harry scowled, "Why did you remove any books that mentioned Nicholas Flamel?"

Albus looked surprised, "Well not the question I thought I would be asked first but to be honest I had Ms Pince remove those books for conservatorship to prevent inquiring minds from connecting certain dots too early. You and Miss Granger as well as your friends are all quite bright. Dangerously so in mny ways."

"What do you mean dangerously so?" Hermione scowled as Harry said, "Hiding information is wrong!"

Dumbledore raised his hand, "My apologies. Yes hiding information can be wrong, unless by knowing the information a great harm may result. Should we permit everyone to know the secrets of building a bomb?"
"Yes. Intellectual knowledge is never harmful, its just the person that makes it dangerous."
Dumbledore sighed, "I feel we are going to have a lot of philosophical discussions in this regard Mr Potter. Discussions that would be better served on another day."

"Still why is us being smart a danger?" Hermione repeated.

"Professors Quirrel and Snape did not leave this school for other positions or their health. The adversary was within Professor Quirrel and Professor Snape sacrificed himself to deal with the threat."

The cadre looked shocked. Hermione whispered, "He sacrificed himself for us?"

"Professor Snape had a great deal of depth that we only saw a few glimpses of." Dumbledore shook his head sadly.

"So the stone is gone?" Harry asked.

"Yes. It has been returned to its owner. He will keep it safer." Albus smiled.

"I would love to meet an actual immortal." Harry admitted with a sigh.

"Perhaps you will someday. Perhaps you will." Dumbledore smiled kindly.

"So does this mean the threat from the you-know-who is over?" Lavender asked.

Dumbledore sighed deeply, "And now we reach one of the points I must dissemble. As the threat is not over but I may not reveal why to you yet. However we have come to a pause. A time we can catch our breath."

"So you're not going to tell us more?" Harry demanded.

"Mr Potter. Please. Understand that you are still children, no matter what else, you are children. You should have a happy life. You should be enjoying Quidditch, developing friendships. Having crushes and having them broken and then finding another crush until you find true love. You should be developing good memories, not walking in darkness worrying if you shall see tomorrow." Dumbledore urgently said with a melancholy tone.

"But we should be trained to fight and defend ourselves when the darkness comes back." Harry argued, "Otherwise how are we going to be able to have those chances to have good memories and good times? How are we going to be the light that fights the darkness."

Hermione looked at Harry with a surprised expression before Dumbledore sighed deeply.

"So like Emma. So like her. Well. I will offer this compromise. I will speak with Lockwood, I will speak with your other professors. I will have them push you harder, to give you extra work, within limits. As long as you also play hard. Enjoy the small things and learn to balance yourselves. Trust me youth is gone far too fleetingly to waste it."

Hermione stood up, "Deal sir." She didn't want Harry arguing anymore.

Dumbledore looked relieved, "Good. And thank you Hermione. I hope we can ensure that the rest of this year at least is relatively normal."

"That would be nice." Hermione agreed. Looking at her friends as they considered the future.

Review Responses

Dennisud: I need to consider how this is all going to play out for certain. One reason this year is going to come to an end and I'll pick it up at a later point in the timeline of the world.

Same as Smithback: Yep Snape. He may come back for the final showdown. I'm not sure. Thanks.