Some days had passed since Harry had finally woken up, had a tender moment with his husband over realizing that the scar he'd bore for the last sixteen, almost seventeen years, had begun to fade. It would always be there, just barely noticeable. In Severus's words, it could now mark that Harry overcame every bad thing he'd ever gone through because of Voldemort. A sign of healing, to have the past be laid to rest and move forward into the future.
After that moment, Harry used the bathroom, got showered and changed, then met Severus down in the kitchen to enjoy dinner. Severus did update Harry on things of the four days he was unconscious, speaking of the mass memorial service to be held and also the event to publicly thank him for his service to their world. Harry wasn't too happy about that last one, but he knew there would be no getting out of it and if he had to speak, he would be reminding everyone that he did not do it alone.
Severus had let everyone know that Harry was awake, still recovering though and they'd get together soon for that explanation Harry promised them. Harry didn't even know who would be there for that, but whatever. Honestly, Harry just wanted it done and over with. How was anyone supposed to move on with their lives from Voldemort if everyone was staying on the matter of things involving him?
It literally made no sense to Harry whatsoever and he told Severus that too. Severus explained that what happened was confusing, and Harry was the only one who knew what went down, so to truly put it behind them and move on; they needed clarification and closure of the chapter to start a new one.
Despite all the time Severus and Harry had alone in their house; they didn't get intimate. Mostly because Harry had needed all the time to recover his magic and every time they had sex, there was a fair bit of magic involved because it always mingled. Not by their choice, just an effect of the bond that when they made love; their magic would join in to make it better.
Or that's the best way Harry could think of how it worked. Besides, Harry wanted their next time having sex to be special and his idea was to do a new wedding and bonding ceremony, this time, with all their friends around and obviously on the pretenses of them being in love. Almost two years ago now, it was because they had a deal in the event.
Plus, Harry wanted the bond reformed properly, he knew it was affected when he went off to his death. Even after he realized he was still alive, he had kept it closed off so Severus wouldn't know. It had been part of Harry's plan to get Voldemort and Nagini to the castle and if Voldemort knew Harry was still alive, the plan would have been screwed.
Today was May 10th, Severus and Harry would be going over to the Malfoy's, where the explanation was to be held because they had a big house to hold everyone. It was agreed to let just one reporter for the Daily Prophet, and obviously, Xenophilius of the Quibbler, into the house for a report to give the people about what happened. The rest of who were present was the entire Order of the Phoenix.
It was currently about 2:30 pm as Severus and Harry were preparing to head to Malfoy Manor.
"Are you ready, Harry?" Severus inquired as they were walking to the fireplace to floo over.
"I guess." Harry shrugged.
"Something the matter?" The potions master asked, sensing his husband wasn't happy.
"This entire story telling explanation is gonna have me as the center of attention, and you know I hate that." Harry told him.
"Then keep the explanation quick. Tell us the main parts of what happened, then we'll say you're still recovering magic and tired. I'll take you home and we'll relax." Severus suggested. "Maybe we can…Sit down to work on that plan we made before the battle? Traveling the world, finding a quiet village to live in?"
Harry remembered what they said. "Yeah. I wanted to talk to you about all that later anyway. Come on, let's get this over with."
Severus wasn't sure how to take what Harry said. Harry already wanted to discuss it, but hadn't said it with a smile or anything. Did this mean he…Didn't want that anymore? Or didn't want him? Severus forced himself not to panic. It would be fine, they were soulmates. Too much had happened for either of them to throw it all away. Harry probably just needed time, that whole…Recovering from depression.
Or beginning to work through it. Harry had promised to be selfish when the war was over, to truly focus on himself. Maybe Harry wanted to work on that before they truly moved into the future? Severus supposed he'd find out later when they talked. Harry and Severus held hands and stepped into the floo, then Severus grabbed the powder and called their destination before they were taken away by the flames.
. . .
Appearing from the green fire in Malfoy Manor's ballroom, everyone was instantly overjoyed to see Harry for the first time in about a week. The last time anyone saw him, he was unconscious in Severus's arms at Hogwarts after the battle, no doubt from magical exhaustion.
"Harry!" Hermione was the absolute first one to throw her arms around his figure, embracing him tightly. Even Ron, who was not one for hugs, joined in. "Oh, I'm so glad you're alright."
"It's good to see you, mate." Ron smiled. "We've missed you."
"I've missed you two as well." Harry said as they broke from the hug and stepped away, but he noticed Ron and Hermione holding hands. "Finally saw what I did years ago?"
"Shut up, Harry…" Hermione blushed.
"He's our best friend, 'Mione." Ron reminded. "We got together after the battle, officially. When everyone was back home, we talked it out."
"I'm happy for you both," Harry nodded.
Sirius and Remus hugged Harry together. "How are you feeling, pup?" Sirius asked.
"I'm…Feeling alright, I suppose." Harry admitted. "Magic is about 85% recovered, but injuries have healed completely."
"After this, cub…I want you to meet mine and Tonks' son. If you're up for it. Right now, he's home with his grandmother." Remus smiled.
"I'd be happy to, Remus." Harry responded.
The two backed off, allowing the line of those who wanted to actually get close to Harry and hug him to move on. The next person to hug Harry was Draco.
"I hope you know," Draco said after he pulled back. "If you ever scare me like that again, I swear to Merlin, Potter-Snape…I'll kill you myself."
"Understood," Harry replied.
Draco moved on to hug his godfather while Harry accepted the handshake from Lucius, then the bone-crushing hug and kiss on the cheek from Narcissa. Molly Weasley, of course, did the same as Narcissa. Arthur did hug Harry, as did Fleur. Bill, Percy, and the twins all gave Harry handshakes or pats on the shoulder or back.
Harry got a hug from Pansy, but handshakes from Blaise, Vincent, Theodore, and Gregory. Their parents all did handshakes or pats on the back. Minerva wasted no time on her turn, she did hug Harry tightly.
"I've offered it to Mr. Malfoy, Miss. Granger, and Mr. Weasley as I will do for you…" Minerva paused. "Given your mission and missing your final year of school, if you'd like to return in September for your seventh year, you have the opportunity." She told him.
"I'll, uh, I'll think about it, Headmistress McGonagall." Harry assured.
"Severus, same for you…Though not just seventh year, if you'd like to return as my Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; it's yours." Minerva told the man.
"I haven't decided what I'm doing yet, Minerva. But I will let you know with ample time to find a replacement if I do not accept." Severus told her.
Harry hugged the rest of his friends, or shook their hands. These people were Neville, Luna, Seamus, Dean, even Ginny. Hannah, Angelina, and Alicia were part of it. Then there was Percy's girlfriend, or fiancé, Harry wasn't sure what she was exactly. But her name was Audrey. Also, Harry had also noticed that Pansy and Blaise were officially a couple too. Good for them. Harry was beyond thrilled to see everyone alive and happy.
"Harry Potter-Snape," Kingsley greeted with a firm handshake. "As a member of the Order, I will always be proud to have battled beside you. As Minister of Magic, I cannot thank you enough for what you've done for our world."
"I've said it before…I didn't do it alone," Harry reminded softly. "But congratulations on becoming Minister, sir,"
"We're hoping you'll work with us to fix things. Not as Scrimgeour wanted you to do, but…Ah, we'll discuss it after. If you don't mind stepping aside with me?" Kingsley hoped.
"I'm sure that will be fine." Harry nodded.
Finally, when greetings were done, everyone took a seat and stayed quiet so Harry could talk. Rita Skeeter had already been warned to only print the truth, by the group, and her boss. If anything was misinterpreted; her story was yanked and she very well risked suspension or termination. However, Harry didn't even know where to start; they didn't specify what explanations they wanted.
"The floor is yours, Harry." Severus told him.
"Yes, well…What exactly do you want to know? It's a loaded question to just say explanation please." Harry stated.
"I'd like to understand something," Hermione raised her hand. "In the battle, you told Voldemort that the Elder Wand continued to refuse him. Forgive me, but why didn't it work for him? You said the two of you knew the truth, of why the blasts kept meeting in the middle like before?"
"Some of you may remember what I told you about mine and Voldemort's wands. The ones we got from Ollivander upon turning eleven and getting to go to Hogwarts." Harry pulled the objects from his side bag. "Voldemort's chosen wand was a Yew wood, Phoenix Feather core. My own is Holly wood, Phoenix Feather core. The Phoenix Feather cores came from the same bird."
"Dumbledore's Phoenix, Fawkes. He only ever gave the two feathers. This made mine and Voldemort's wands brothers. Therefore, as long as they were against one another, we could never kill one another with them. Wound, but never kill." Harry explained.
"Yes, but why did the Elder Wand…The most powerful wand in existence, fail to work for Voldemort when he had killed its former master. This being Peter Pettigrew, who had killed Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.
"Because Pettigrew wasn't the master of the Elder Wand when Voldemort killed him…" Harry informed.
"Then…Who was?" Sirius asked.
"Me." Harry pulled the Elder Wand out now and set it on the table. "Peter was its master after he killed Dumbledore, but he never knew such. However, when we were captured at Riddle Manor…I defeated Peter in that cellar. I called in a life debt he owed me, forced him to stand down and then I disarmed him. In wand lore, as Ollivander told us, the Elder Wand's master is that who defeats its older master."
"I may not have killed Pettigrew, but I disarmed him, and that counts as defeat. So from that night, I was the wand's true master. I didn't realize it until Voldemort and I dueled, that our blasts still met in the middle. I realized the wand wouldn't fight its master. It didn't want to hurt me." Harry told them. "It's also why I didn't die."
"Yeah, that's what I want explained." Draco remarked.
"You did die…I felt the bond disappear, Harry. It was the worst feeling I've ever experienced." Severus said gently.
"Okay, so you're gonna hate this…But to be upfront…" Harry paused.
"You closed the bond off, didn't you…" Severus muttered.
"Yes, and no." Harry told him. "So…There's something about those horcruxes I never told you. Dumbledore and I figured it out and we kept it from all of you."
"What…Was it?" Narcissa pushed.
"I was always meant to die to kill Voldemort." Harry revealed.
"WHAT?!"
"Everyone seemed to forget what the end of the prophecy was. Neither can live while the other survives. Voldemort and I were always meant to die together." Harry informed.
"Explain…" Remus said.
"Voldemort did make seven horcruxes. He was not the last one to be destroyed after the other six were…" Harry paused. "I was the last one."
"Y-You were a horcrux?" Severus paled.
"Yes." Harry confirmed. "That's why I could hear them. Sense them. It's why I was connected to them. The link Voldemort and I had. I was linked to him because I was carrying a piece of him inside here," Harry tapped his scar. "The visions, seeing through Nagini's eyes. We were all connected…Dumbledore told me about it in limbo after Voldemort killed me. Or…Tried to."
"What did he tell you?" Ron asked.
"I was the horcrux Voldemort never intended to make, nor ever knew about. Voldemort's soul was already in tatters from the other five he made, and we discussed that not only was killing a factor, but a set spell. When Voldemort came to Godric's Hollow to murder me nearly seventeen years ago now…The spell rebounded because of my mother's sacrifice to protect me. When the spell rebounded, his body was destroyed, but a piece of Voldemort latched itself onto the only living thing in the room…Which was me." Harry explained.
"Remember, I told you about it, Sirius…How I felt like I was becoming evil, more like him, angry all the time…It was because I was carrying a piece of him inside me. And it affected me just like the locket had when wearing it. Remember, when they were close together, the power was stronger?" Harry informed.
"Then…It stands to reason why sometimes…" Draco began.
"Why it always seemed like certain people couldn't stay calm around me." Harry nodded. "Severus, as an example."
"Y-You think the reason I gave you so much trouble was because of the piece of Voldemort inside you?" Severus questioned.
"Can't deny the possibility, love." Harry told him. "Remember that the horcruxes increased feelings of hatred, anger, insecurity, sadness…You hated my father for his bullying. You loved my mother because she was your first friend. You carried guilt for years about being the reason she died."
"Sadness of losing her, unable to save her. Then there was me in your life, always keeping me safe…But the piece of him fed on your emotions, made you angrier, colder. Until we got married and bonded. I think the fact we're soulmates had a factor in overpowering evil." He stated.
"Okay so…Wait, when you went off into the forest to fight?" Hermione paused.
"I never went to fight, Hermione. I knew what I was doing after Voldemort called me out. I knew it was time. Mind you, I didn't know about the horcrux. Not until I saw Dumbledore in limbo." Harry mentioned.
Then he continued. "I had assumed the curse hit not just me, but Voldemort too. When I woke in limbo, Voldemort was there. But as I learned from Dumbledore, the thing I saw was the piece of him that had been living inside me for years."
"The only way to have gotten rid of it was for Voldemort to kill it himself. So…He may have shot the curse at me, but he really just…Killed himself." Harry said. "But no…I never fought him, not until we got to the school. I never pulled my wand, I never argued…I just closed my eyes and told him that unlike him, I can face death like a man."
"You sacrificed yourself…" Severus whispered.
"I did." Harry nodded. "I did for all of you what my mother did for me, out of love. It's why Voldemort couldn't touch you, Sev. When he tried, he pulled his hand away, asking what magic this was…" Severus's eyes widened.
"You…Activated sacrificial magic." Sirius realized.
Harry nodded. "When my mother cast herself between me and Voldemort, her sacrifice protected me. She did it out of love for her only son. The years I faced Tom until he returned to his body, he couldn't touch me. He said it in the graveyard. In first year, when I touched Quirrell, he burned. Turned to dust. It was because of my mother's love for me. Dumbledore told me that when I woke up in the hospital wing."
He paused before continuing, "That love was the strongest power or weapon in the world and it's something Voldemort could never fight against because he didn't understand or feel it. That was my power he didn't know about. Love. What I have for Severus, my family, my friends. When I sacrificed myself to protect all of you, it was out of love. I stood between you and him in that forest. That love made it so Voldemort would never have been able to touch you."
"But you came back…" Remus mentioned.
"I never truly died. I did sacrifice myself, I was willing to die. I was ready to. It allowed me to open that golden snitch Dumbledore left me. I open at the close. The close was my acceptance to die to protect the people I love." Harry revealed.
"What was inside, Harry? The snitch, what did Dumbledore leave you inside of it?" Ron inquired.
"A way to come back." Harry informed as he pulled an object from his pocket, a small black diamond stone.
"Is that-Oh my God! Harry, is that the Resurrection Stone?!" Hermione screeched.
"This is what Dumbledore left me in the snitch. A way to come back after Voldemort killed me. If I had been holding this in hand when I died, I would have come back right away." Harry remarked.
"If…Y-You mean you were not?" Lucius questioned.
Harry shook his head. "No. I saw mum and dad for a moment or two, they promised they'd be with me, and then they vanished. I dropped the stone on the forest floor and walked away from it. There was too much risk in surviving, and Voldemort getting his hands on it to escape death again. It was part of the sacrifice, not just giving up my life, but the chance to come back too."
"Then how did you come back?" Severus urged.
"Dumbledore said I could go back if I wanted. When we were in limbo. After he told me about the horcrux, that the piece of Voldemort there meant Voldemort was still alive physically. I asked Dumbledore if I had to return, he said we were in a train station and if I wanted, I could board a train home or on. Whatever he said." Harry stated.
"After that, he walked away and faded. When I woke up, I was still on the forest floor, and Hagrid was ordered to check to make sure I was dead. I had been refusing to move so he assumed I was. I didn't make my presence known until we got back to Hogwarts." He shrugged.
"B-But Harry…The Bond. It was gone! How?" Severus demanded.
"I closed it off when I entered the forest, so you wouldn't have to feel me die. I guess it was still activated when I returned. Because I was in limbo, my soul never passed through, so I never really died. I was in between words. Dumbledore said that I'd come there so Voldemort's soul, the piece inside me, could come to die and the only way it could have happened was if I let Voldemort kill me. Or think he did." Harry told him.
"When I woke up, I realized that Tom was going to celebrate his victory. I had to make him think I was dead, or we never would have gotten back to Hogwarts with Nagini. He would have been so pissed I survived again and abandoned her for you to kill. According to Dumbledore, it was all part of the plan." The teenager mentioned.
"Harry, if you left the stone in the forest…Why do you have it now?" Tonks inquired.
"I have no idea actually. I found it with the cloak and the wand in my wardrobe at mine and Sev's place when I woke up on the 6th." Harry confessed.
"I just realized something…" Ron noted. "Harry has the Elder Wand. The Resurrection Stone. And the Cloak of Invisibility…"
"Harry is the Master of Death." Xenophilius whispered.
"And it's not that big of a deal." Harry rolled his eyes. "Besides…I already decided what I was doing with them."
"That is?" Draco wondered.
Harry grabbed the Elder Wand, pointing it at his snapped in half Holly wand. "Reparo." The wand instantly swirled magic and connected back together. Harry set down the Elder and lifted his own, letting the familiar warm feeling fill him to the point red sparks shot from the tip. "Now that…Feels right." He stated before putting it in its proper holder on his arm. Harry put the wand that abandoned Voldemort in a holder attached to his leg. "Now for the rest…"
"T-The rest? What are you going to do?" Severus asked his husband.
"The Hallows are too powerful to remain here and if word gets out they are together, I don't want to imagine the chaos that comes with people trying to seek them out. So I've decided to do this,"
Harry used the Elder Wand to shatter the Resurrection stone into nothing and then he snapped the Elder Wand in half. "I'm keeping the cloak. I'll keep to the story, evade Death for a while and when I'm old and lived my life to the fullest, I'll pass it on to my own kids and greet Death like an old friend."