Hi everyone... I'm back with Chapter 125. apologies for the one-day break, I had a lot of other things going on in life and couldn't spend time editing this chapter.

But here we are, enjoy!

"I'm sorry, Hermione, but my hands are tied," said Cedric, calmly, looking genuinely helpless.

"How do we do damage limitation?" asked Hermione, undeterred.

"Sit tight and ride this one out," suggested Cedric in reply. "A few weeks should do it," he added.

Losing the war was terrible enough, losing close friends and family was difficult, but the repercussions of the war bore even bitter fruits.

Voldemort, now more than ever had complete backing of the public. Especially, after it was revealed to everyone, who led the battle against the Ministry of Magic. None other than, Gellert Grindelwald.

One of the Ministry's spokespersons had addressed the papers, media and the public.

"It is a pivotal moment in our history. I'm happy to announce that against all odds, against the venomous whispers, sinister plots of the foreign lands and traitors within, we stand victorious.

Our enemies believed they could break us. They sent their armies, their champions to tear apart the fabric of our nation. They underestimated us, and for that, they have paid the ultimate price.

But how did foreign invaders think they could dictate our fate? Who gave them the courage to strike us?

There was a man, living amidst us, breathing the same air that we did, eating the same food as us, pretending to teach our children when in fact, he was corrupting our bright young minds. His name was known to all of us as Benjamin White.

But do you know who he really was?

A mass murderer, a terrorist who escaped prison a few years back, Gellert Grindelwald!

I am disappointed that our once prestigious school, Hogwarts, sided with a known criminal, just to spite the Ministry, for a petty rebellion.

Let this be a lesson to everyone who dares challenge us. We stand strong under the leadership of our Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort. We are a force unmatched. Our victory is not just a victory for the fighters, but a victory for everyone who believed in us.

And to those who still harbour thoughts of rebellion, know that the time for dissent is over. The time for division has passed. You are either with us, or you are against us. We will protect our land, and our people fiercely and purge our world of traitors and weakness."

"I'm sorry, I'm asking too much from you, aren't I?" chuckled Hermione and sighed a moment later.

"This is my school and my country too," retorted Cedric, smiling. "Fleur wants to help us, but she was instantly shot down when she tried to take our side," he remarked. Hermione stared at him regretfully. "Grindelwald was not part of the deal. The moment they found out the truth, everybody backed away," he added.

"We are in a mess," sighed Hermione, exasperated.

"Did you know about it?" asked Cedric, curiously. Hermione stared at him apologetically. "I don't believe it," gasped Cedric, shocked. "Hermione, why wouldn't you tell me about this?" he asked.

"I only found out a few months back, Cedric," replied Hermione, in a defeated tone. "And by then, he was too involved with us. We couldn't cut him away just like that... A small part of me was in some way relieved to have him on our side. I just trusted Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall's judgement," she added, sombrely.

Cedric shook his head, disappointed. "It makes sense now, why all the schools came in support of Hogwarts," he remarked.

"Do you think he coerced all of them?" asked Hermione, worried.

"He had to have... And that's bad because now he is dead. And it won't be very long before the schools decide to go back," replied Cedric.

"This is perfect," sighed Hermione. "Nobody wants to support us and the support we already have, is going away soon," she chuckled.

"This is not good, Hermione," sighed Cedric. "He has the complete backing of the public, even those who feared him, now believe that he is the best for them," he remarked.

"I don't believe that, Cedric," said Hermione, fiercely. After a moment, she continued, "The fear doesn't go away that easily. The atrocities, all the killings he has done, they don't go away so easily," she remarked.

"You are quite right in that, but at the moment, everyone seems to have forgotten what he has done. They see him as an evil, but a necessary one and one that's on their side," replied Cedric, calmly.

"We've got to change that somehow," sighed Hermione.

The pair stayed sitting next to each other, in silence for the next few minutes. And then Hermione spoke up, "Where is... You-know-who?" she asked, intrigued.

"I didn't get you," replied Cedric, confused.

"He has taken every opportunity, created opportunities even... He has addressed the public and media again and again. He wins the battle of the Ministry for the 2nd time, against Gellert Grindelwald, and he doesn't appear to talk to the media! Why?" she remarked.

Cedric stared at her, acknowledging her point. "I don't know," he sighed.

"Maybe it is nothing," sighed Hermione.

"It is about time I leave," said Cedric, getting up. "Take care of yourself, Hermione," he remarked, hugging her.

"Thanks and you too," replied Hermione, smiling briefly as she hugged back.

"I'll be seeing you next month, in Paris," remarked Cedric, smiling widely.

"Of course, I'll be there... I wouldn't miss it for anything," replied Hermione, grinning.

…

Just as Cedric was leaving, his eyes fell on Harry, walking towards the pair.

"Hey, Harry, how are you doing?" asked Cedric, warmly as he extended his hand.

"Hi, Cedric... I am... recovering," replied Harry, smiling as he shook hands with him. "Leaving?" he asked.

"Yeah, have to catch a train," replied Cedric. "See you later," he remarked and left.

Harry glanced at Hermione and sat down beside her.

"Hey," greeted Hermione, briefly smiling at him.

"What happened? You are looking a bit tense," said Harry.

"What hasn't happened?" retorted Hermione, a wry smile on her face.

Harry sighed in response and chuckled. After a few moments, Hermione spoke up, "How are you recovering?" she asked. She was itching to touch Harry's arms and torso, to see how his bruises were healing, but she resisted the urge to do so.

"The battle took a lot out of me," replied Harry, calmly. "It was my first... It feels a bit strange to still feel depleted," he added, smiling.

"It has only been a week, your bruises have to heal and only then will you regain your energy," remarked Hermione.

"Yeah, I suppose," sighed Harry.

A few moments of silence lingered between the pair. "Why did you come here?" asked Hermione, breaking the silence.

"Uh..." began Harry and stared at her, confused. "Just getting some warmth and fresh air," he replied. "Am I disturbing you?" he asked after a pause.

"No, no, of course, not, Harry," replied Hermione, alarmed.

Some tension remained between the pair for a few moments before Harry spoke up. "Well, we haven't really talked since the battle," he remarked.

"Yeah," sighed Hermione. After a pause, she continued, "Tell me," she said, smiling.

Harry grinned in response, he had been dying to talk to her about his very first battle. "I started alongside the Confederation army," he began. He went on to re-tell the different attacks he used and the way he partnered with the Confederation.

"How were you able to easily fight alongside the Confederation?" asked Hermione, amazed.

"It wasn't as smooth," chuckled Harry. "I got rinsed by the chief at one point, I was coming in between everyone," he replied. Hermione had a surprised look on her face. "But she was pretty good, she organised the attack and defence very well," he continued.

"Wow, that must have been great," remarked Hermione, smiling.

"Yeah, it was," replied Harry, smiling, however, soon his expression turned for his mind wandered around thinking about the battle.

"Hey, it's alright," comforted Hermione as she took his hands into hers. "What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"I messed up, Hermione," sighed Harry after a long pause. Hermione squeezed his hand and he continued, "Ron was fighting You-know-who and other death eaters," began Harry and Hermione's expression changed instantly, she was shocked. "And he wasn't doing well," continued Harry. "I had gotten separated from my group, so I just continued fighting on the go, without any real plan. And then I stumbled upon them," he added. "I was able to save Ron momentarily, and I managed to divert You-know-who's attention towards me. Of course, we couldn't duel, since our wands didn't allow us, but I was able to allow Ron some breathing room," he continued.

"That's great, Harry... But, why are you saying it like it's a bad thing?" asked Hermione, confused.

"Well, Ron and I started fighting them together," began Harry. "But after a few minutes, I had to leave, to do something else," he said, distraught. Hermione looked at him, even more confused. "White had given me something else to do. The only way we were going to win the war was if we managed to first destroy the Horcrux," he continued.

"What?" gasped Hermione, shocked. "Harry, I completely forgot about the Horcrux," she exclaimed. "Were you able to destroy the Horcrux?" she asked, alarmed.

"Yes... Yes, Hermione, we destroyed it," replied Harry, sighing. "But, Ron's mad at me that I left him there," he added.

"Oh," sighed Hermione.

"I tried telling Ron about the Horcruxes when we were there for the funeral," began Harry.

"No, Harry..." exclaimed Hermione, disappointed. "What were you thinking?" she retorted, disappointed.

"Now you know, why I said I messed up," sighed Harry, exasperated. "I left him alone in the middle of a battle... And then I tried talking to him about it, at his mother's funeral," he remarked, disgusted.

"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry," consoled Hermione as she hugged him sideways.

The pair continued talking about Ron and how they had hidden the truth from him for so long. While they both agreed that what they had done was correct, somehow, the way things had turned out, was quite sour.

"It was all because of White, only if he had not..." exclaimed Hermione, annoyed.

Harry, however, did not respond, he remained silently pondering. Hermione stared at him, intrigued. "Why are you looking at me like that?" chuckled Harry.

"I thought you would react a lot more than a sigh," remarked Hermione.

"I have spent a lot of time and energy being angry at that man..." sighed Harry. "But, he did give his life, in an attempt to win a war against You-know-who," he added.

"By revealing himself to the world, he has just put us in a bad position, Harry," retorted Hermione, strongly. "This war has not done any good for any of us," she added.

"Except for the Horcrux," replied Harry.

"Except for the Horcrux," repeated Hermione, smiling briefly.

After a few minutes, Hermione spoke up, "So, how did you kill Nagini?" she asked, looking amazed.

"I was at Level 1 and thought Nagini would be there, but I couldn't find her," began Harry. "And then I was with Ron at Level 2, but Nagini wasn't with You-know-who either, so I went deeper. We were a few wizards at Level 3, and getting past them was impossible. That's where I got hurt the most," continued Harry and pointed to a few of his bruises that he got there.

Hermione courageously caressed Harry's bruises carefully, earning a smirk from Harry.

"But when I was just about to lose hope, someone rescued me," said Harry.

"Who? Did some more backup from Confederation come to your level?" asked Hermione, curiously.

"No, not the Confederation... They were pretty occupied at Level 1," replied Harry. "It was Snape," he revealed.

"What?" gasped Hermione, shocked.

"Yes, Snape saved me from the death eaters," replied Harry. "He saved me from them and then we fought side by side against the death eaters," he added.

"But... I don't understand," gasped Hermione.

"Looks like he was never really on You-know-who's side after all," sighed Harry. "We managed to get out of Level 3. He knows about Horcruxes, and he knew where Nagini was hiding," he continued. "We went to Level 4, fought some more wizards, and then finally found Nagini," he announced.

"Wow," gasped Hermione.

"Killing Nagini wasn't easy either, but thankfully, I was able to use the Sword of Gryffindor. It was the only thing that worked," said Harry, smiling.

"I can't believe this," sighed Hermione, smiling. "Snape saved you... And then you used the sword to kill Nagini and destroy the final Horcrux," she remarked, still recovering from the shock.

"Snape got me out of there and told me to leave. He knew the war was over," remarked Harry. "I told him to come with me, but he refused," he added, sombrely.

"You-know-who will find him and kill him for what he has done," retorted Hermione, alarmed.

Just then, Colin came running towards the pair. "You are not going to believe what I'm about to say," he said, gasping for breath, but smiling widely.

"Colin, what happened?" asked Harry, alarmed. Hermione stared at him intently.

"They just announced that Snape was killed in the battle," replied Colin, handing them the radio. "Good riddance, we don't know who got him, but whoever did, we owe them one," he added, ecstatically.

"What?" gasped Harry, shocked.

"Oh, wonderful... That's the best thing I have heard all day, Colin," retorted Hermione, smiling. "Have you told everyone?" she asked.

"No, you were the first... Longbottom and Finnigan know, they were with me when we heard it," replied Colin. "Let me find the others," he added and ran away, with the radio.

"That... is the best thing you have heard all day?" remarked Harry, surprised and hurt. "Were you not listening..." he continued and paused. He had just realised what Hermione had done.

"Well, you were about to react upset. We can't tell everyone what we know," retorted Hermione. "But, Harry, you know what this means?" she remarked.

"You-know-who killed Snape and he is making everyone believe, we did it," replied Harry. "I told him to come with me," he snapped, frustrated.

"Do you think he knows about his Horcruxes?" asked Hermione.

"He, obviously knows that one is gone, but..." began Harry and paused.

"Harry, this is bad," exclaimed Hermione. "If he knows Snape helped you kill Nagini, he is bound to wonder why you wanted to kill the snake in the first place. It is not that hard to trace the steps from there," she remarked, worried.

"He is going to create a new Horcrux," retorted Harry, getting up, alarmed. "We need to talk to Professor McGonagall," he said and Hermione got up as well.

…

"Professor McGonagall," greeted Harry and Hermione together as they knocked and entered the Headmistress' office, Harry, hastily, while Hermione, a little more calmly.

"Mr Potter, Miss Granger," she greeted in response. "What happened?" she asked, calmly.

"Have you heard?" asked Harry.

"You are asking me about Severus... Yes, I heard a couple of hours back," replied McGonagall, in a subdued tone. "We expected it, but it hits you differently when you find out," she mourned. "But, it is no surprise that we are being alleged to have killed him in the attempted coup," she added.

"Professor, this is bad news. If You-know-who knows about his Horcruxes being destroyed, he will try to create more," remarked Hermione.

"He knows... That's for certain, and I can bet you anything, he is already creating one if he already hasn't," added Harry. "Professor, we need to do something to prevent him from creating more Horcruxes," he remarked, urgently.

However, the pair watched no change in McGonagall's expression. If anything, it looked like, slowly, she appeared more and more relaxed.

"There is something both of you should know," began McGonagall in response. "We were going to inform you of this, once the final Horcrux was destroyed. But, so many things have happened in the past week, I could never get around to it," she remarked.

Harry and Hermione stared at her, intrigued.

"We don't need to worry about more Horcruxes... You-know-who can't create more Horcruxes, not anymore," she announced, calmly.

"What?" retorted Harry, confused.

"Why not?" asked Hermione, at the same time, equally confused.

"Professor White... I mean, Grindelwald, he made sure that You-know-who couldn't create more Horcruxes," replied McGonagall. "He reached out to some of his old colleagues. They performed some kind of dark magic ritual to lock You-know-who's soul from splitting further," she informed.

"What?" gasped Harry and Hermione, shocked. An instant relief washed over their faces.

"How did he even know to do that?" asked Harry.

"He... might have been a man with questionable tactics, but he was one of the most knowledgeable wizards, Harry," replied McGonagall. "And, he did want to protect Hogwarts," she added.

"So, You-know-who can't create more Horcruxes, and all his existing Horcruxes are destroyed?" asked Hermione.

"Yes," replied McGonagall, confidently.

However, Harry had gone into a deep thought. "When did he do this?" he asked, after a few moments.

"A couple of weeks before the start of the year," replied McGonagall. "Why?" she asked, curiously.

"A couple of weeks..." repeated Harry as his thoughts trailed off. And then a moment later, he jumped, "It was him," he exclaimed.

"Harry, what are you talking about?" asked Hermione.

"While I was in the Monastery... with Jane... She told me later... During one of their rituals, somebody else meddled with what we were doing. So, they abruptly stopped their ritual, for they didn't want to risk anyone finding out about what we were doing," replied Harry, excitedly.

Both McGonagall and Hermione had a surprised look on their face. But all in all, they were relieved for once in a long, long time.

…

"What happens when he finds out he is unable to create any more Horcruxes?" asked Harry, glancing at both of them.

A moment's silence lingered between all of them. However, just as McGonagall was about to say something, Hermione spoke up, "I think he already does," she replied.

"What? How do you know that?" asked Harry, puzzled. McGonagall too stared at Hermione, puzzled.

"For one, he hasn't said a word to the public since the battle," replied Hermione. "Since he has become the Minister of Magic, he has jumped at every opportunity. And for another, it took them one week to announce that Professor Snape was dead. They would have done it much sooner, but why didn't they?" she remarked.

"Miss Granger, if what you are suggesting is true... this might be our chance to strike back," replied McGonagall.

"He is going to go mental," added Harry and earned a glance from both of them.

"There is one more thing, Professor," continued Hermione.

"Yes," responded McGonagall, intently.

"We may have another problem to deal with," she began. "I was speaking with Cedric some time ago. We were both sceptical about... our guests..." she said.

"What about them?" asked McGonagall, however, there was a glint in her eye.

"Now that everybody detests us, for siding with Grindelwald, how long do you think our guests will support us, now that he is dead?" remarked Hermione.

McGonagall smiled at Hermione. "I'm impressed, Miss Granger," she said. "I have been speaking with them for the past few days," she began in response. "And it is not looking good," she finished, a little subdued.

Meanwhile, in another part of the country, chaos had ensued. Looking at the Ministry of Magic would be like looking at a watermelon. All looks green and happy from the outside, the triumph of the battle, no doubt on everyone's mind. However, only if one were to look inside, especially at the Minister of Magic, they would look at someone extremely angry and mad, all red. There was even a hint of fear in his eyes.

He had only a few days back discovered that he could no longer create any Horcruxes. He didn't know why, but he was certain it had something to do with the Potter boy. And on top of that, all his Horcruxes were destroyed, another thing he was convinced was Harry's doing. To make matters worse, he had been taunted by a ghost, a being from the beyond, that his end was nearing.

As the days went by, things only got worse at the Ministry. Within the first few weeks after the end of the battle, things took a sharp downturn. Voldemort had pretty much stopped responding to the media or the public about any of the happenings. For any comment from him, they had to reside with his spokesperson. Not just that he had stopped addressing the public, it was also the brutality that had seemingly increased in the country. A lot of the crime rate that had dropped in the country in the past year had seen a massive spike in the past few weeks. As much as the Ministry tried spinning it as doings of foreign invasions, criminals and such, the truth was, more often than not, the death eaters and the dark mark were spotted at the crime scene, pointing to one obvious suspect. Not just the death eaters, but even werewolf crimes had gone up significantly in the country. More and more cases of werewolf bites on young children were being reported.

The truth, kept hidden from the public, of course, was that, Voldemort had a strong grip on his men. He had kept everyone at bay, from committing unnecessary crimes, all by himself, through fear of him alone. But, now that he was paying no attention to his subjects, things started going downhill.

So, what was Voldemort doing instead?

Voldemort was scrambling for answers. He had many questions on his mind.

How did Harry find out about his Horcruxes?

How did he manage to find all of them and destroy them?

They were his Horcruxes, how come did he never find out when any of them was being destroyed?

Why couldn't he create more Horcruxes?

Voldemort would have generally had one of his trusted lieutenants take care of finding the answers to these questions. But, he didn't have any of them left. They were all dead.

Hence, Voldemort spent all his time trying to look for answers and solutions to his problems. But he didn't get very far. Everywhere he went, he hit a dead end.

But there was something he was absolutely certain of. He might have played a card earlier that year when he announced to the world that his feud with Harry Potter was over. But, it was nowhere close to being over. If anything, Voldemort was as motivated as ever before to kill Harry. Killing Harry was the only way he was going to remain immortal.

What did you make of this? Let me know in the comments, I'm way too excited to hear all your thoughts.

PS - I'll be back with Chapter 126 soon! Ciao! ❤️