"Hello," Iola greeted. Her hand was in Mortem's, the deity's power sustaining her suspension in the air. "It's a questionable pleasure to make your acquaintance." Mortem kissed Iola on the forehead again, and shimmered away.
"Iola," Benjy was the first to snap out of his stupor, "have you come to explain yourself?"
"Indeed," Iola answered, with a slight smile on her face, "I will also answer any questions that you have."
"What happened to you after graduation," Euphemia asked sweetly, "all of you that is?"
"I became an olympic skater," Iola grins at her grandmother, "Although I do skate for America. I also work as a forensic expert for MACUSA .Benjy is currently apprenticing under Ollivander."
"I never thought Garrick would give up his secrets," Dumbledore chuckled, "I'm surprised he took on an apprentice."
"Well he has no family left," Iola points out, "he doesn't want the secrets to die out completely. He simply asked that Benjy keep the shop name Ollivander's. Benjy plans on naming his eventual firstborn Oliver or Olivia after him."
"That's rather kindhearted of him," Sirius says, "probably the Dorcas in him."
"Benj also serves as a consultant for The Quibbler," Iola adds on, "Auntie Panda bullied him into doing it."
"Sounds like Dora," Lydia laughs heartily, "now, tell us more."
"Callie started a magical art business," Iola continued, "and also founded and directs a quidditch team of her own."
"WHAT?!" all the room's quidditch enthusiasts shout, Sirius being the loudest of them all.
"That's my girl!" he cheers excitedly, "my girl formed a quidditch team."
"What about Neville?" Alice timidly asks, "what did he do?"
"Nev became a mind healer," Iola smiles, "he dedicated his life to try healing you and Frank. We're seeing some real progress in that area. He also travels with Luna and Rolf, taking care of the herbology side of their discoveries in the wilderness."
"Might I ask about our Susan," Alina begs desperately, "what became of her?"
"She works under the ICW," Iola answers softly, "she's well on her way to the head of the defense force there."
"Thank Merlin," Liam breathed a deep sigh, "she's alright."
"I have a question," Kingsley voiced, "what ever happened to the Crouchs?"
Barty perked up at the mention of his fate. He was kind of scared to hear the answer.
"Dementor's kiss for Junior," Iola dismissively answered, though a cold look in her eye made others feel uneasy, "Crouch had to pay me reparations, and was sentenced to Azkaban."
"Good," Lydia grinned viciously, "he deserves that for messing with my kid."
"Oh I must definitely agree," Iola flashed the same grin, "he was insignificant trash."
"Iola?" Peter hesitantly spoke, "what was my fate?"
"You're still good old Uncle Peter," Iola comforted him, "don't worry about them thinking you were a traitor. Originally everyone thought you spilled under torture, but then Uncle Reg read my mother's letter and cleared everything up."
"Speaking of," Regulus shyly approached Iola, "how did I get my identity back legally?"
"Oh that," Iola pondered for a moment, before recalling the answer, "Daddy had Grand Uncle Alastor make your return public. He said all the evidence that you had died was based on testimony from the Blacks, and even they didn't know how you supposedly died. So he restored your identity to you, and you were cleared from all former crimes."
"Nice to know," Regulus smiled at the girl. He was glad for this experience. Even if he'd never remember it, these past few hours were ones of bliss, proving that there was a better life out there for him.
"Grand Uncle Alastor, ey," Moody mumbled, "we close lass?"
"We are rather close," Iola nods, "Daddy said it started out even before Mom passed on. He said you felt as if you were responsible for my father's death, and compensated by spoiling his daughter. Then you felt double guilty when Mom blew up, so you became an established figure in my life."
"I see," Moody grunted, "not too bad a fate."
"Excuse me Ma'am," Molly Weasley hesitantly interrupted, "is it possible that you could inform me of my childrens' fates?"
"Of course," Iola beamed, "I really only know this because of Ron. He and I remained friends even after I left Hogwarts. Bill works for Gringotts, Charlie with dragons-"
"Charlie works with dragons?!" Molly and her brothers shout together with completely different tones. Molly's was full of terror and her brothers' voices bubbled with pride. Arthur was just gaping.
"Yup," Iola shrugged, "Percy is the minister for magic-"
"Percy what?!" the Weasley-Prewett family shouted. Around the hall, people sat open-mouthed at the impressive careers of the Weasleys. The Malfoys seethed in annoyance as they learned the greatness the Weasleys would be awarded.
Iola simply went on listing occupations, "Fred and George opened a prank shop, Ron is a top auror, and Ginny's a professional quidditch player."
"Our babies," Molly sobbed in happiness, "I'm so proud."
"Me too Molly," Arthur held her lovingly, "they are extremely impressive."
"What about my kids?" Lyetta asks, "what do they do?"
"Mike's a potioneer," Iola answers offhandedly, "and Lydia is a duelist."
"Sick," Lyetta cheered, leaning on her brother.
"What about the rest of the Scamander family?" Newt asks hopefully, "are they all well?"
"There are far too many to name now," Iola laughs, "but we still all get together by Potter manor on Yules. You and Auntie Tina are still alive and kicking by the way."
"Wow you grow old," Fleamont teases his friend, "even I don't get that old."
"Shut up Monty," Newt blushes in embarrassment, "not helping."
"How powerful are you?" Lydia suddenly cut to the chase. The gentle blend of quiet, chit chat, and gossip suddenly turned to ice cold silence.
"Nowhere near your level," Iola began, "I've never decimated a forest with sheer grief alone."
"YOU DID WHAT?!" people stared in horror at the young Potter girl. They'd thought they'd seen the girl's full potential, but it seemed they were wrong.
"I suspect that not even that was her full potential, was it?" Fleamont carefully inquired.
"Mortem himself declared her to be the one of the most powerful people to come from our family line," Iola confessed, "she was nearly reaching Ignotus level by the time she died. Had she lived longer, I'm sure she would have reached greater heights."
"I'm not asking for a comparison between the two of us," Lydia redirects the conversation, "I know you likely could never reach my level. I want to know your level."
"I'd say a nice medium range," Iola contemplates, "I also tend to use more frivolous types. I'm not a warrior like you."
"It's time Mistress," Mortem appeared from behind Iola, "say your last goodbyes. I will erase their memories."
Iola quickly embraces those she wishes to, and answers a few remaining inquiries.
"Farewell," Lydia plants a kiss on her daughter's forehead, "live well."
Benjy copies the gesture, but moves to whisper in his daughter's ear.
"Do you ever go to see my parents?" Benjy asks, voice shaking.
"Once," she responds quietly, "they seemed regretful. I met your cousin Emily as well. She was rather sweet, and we keep in touch."
"Good," Benjy smiles at his daughter, "live life a little Iola. It would do you some good."
"Promise," Iola swore. She turned away from her father, and took the hand Mortem offered her. The room shone with silver light, and all memories of the event suddenly left the minds of the room's occupants. Anyone who didn't belong in the hall disappeared, and the original version of that day's events were planted in everyone's minds.
"Do you feel something strange?" Lydia Potter asks her best friend Sirius Black.
"I don't know Lyds," Sirius shrugs, "seems normal enough to me."
"I somehow feel as if Mortem was here recently," Lydia pondered for a moment, before dropping it, "nah, not possible."
"Whatever it is," Sirius presses a kiss to her cheek, "we'll handle it together."
"Together," Lydia smiles, and looks at the fake sky, "together forever."