After the war was over

PART NINE – BUILDING THE WORLD ANEW


Severus was cross. He stood at his window and looked out over the castle grounds thinking about the last twelve months. He remembered how despairing they had all been at the Memorial Service last year. How despairing he had been. Scrimgeour and Umbridge had held the magical world in thrall. Banished anyone who did not agree with them or whom they did not like. Everywhere there had been a feeling of fear, of menace. But what a difference a year had made, what a difference Harry had made. And today rather than a mere one hundred and fifty people gathered in The Great Hall there were in fact several thousand waiting downstairs to remember the fallen.

Severus scowled down at the Order of Merlin First Class that was pinned to his chest and remembered the day in the spring when it had been awarded to him. “What a piece of nonsense!” He thought to himself grumpily. Hermione would be here in a minute and they would walk down together to the ceremony as they always did, as he stood there wrapped in thought he wondered whether that was a spot on his medal, and gave it a surreptitious polish with his sleeve, jumping suddenly when there was a knock on the door.

Hermione came in after a moment and she smiled kindly at him. “Severus it is time for the ceremony,” she said. Severus stood and sighed, he moved over to the rather beautiful young woman that she had matured into, especially now that her abdomen swelled with the child that she was expecting in two month’s time. There was no doubt that she would be a good mother. She was wonderful with his great nieces and nephews and they all adored her. He inclined his head towards her as a gesture of respect, just as he always did and tucked his arm around her’s. Together they set off for the Great Hall, walking slowly; they made their way downstairs, each of them lost in their own thoughts.

Because of the sheer numbers of wizards attending this year, special seating that echoed the raised rows of the Wizengamot had been magically constructed. This meant that everyone could see the enlarged memorial, even if they would be standing for the actual ceremony itself

There was space left for them beside Ron at the front of the crowd, and a special chair had been set-aside for Hermione. Severus was glad to be holding her arm because it gave him something else to concentrate on, other than the sporadic applause that he seemed to generate wherever he went these days. He was a hero, everyone said so, and Severus wished that just a few of those people who had grabbed him over the past few months and told him how wonderful he was and how they had known all along that he was innocent had been a bit more evident in all the previous years since the war.

The memorial was still there as black and unfathomable as it had always been, only now it had grown. Sometime in the last few nights it had gradually increased in size and many, many more names had been added. No one seemed to know how or why this had happened, and there was a certain nervousness about this strange phenomenon. But none the less, it had not stopped people coming from far and wide. Whether that was to mourn those who had been lost in all the wizarding wars or whether to catch a glimpse of the magical world’s golden couple Severus could not say for certain, though he had his suspicions.

Everyone was here today, the great and the good, familiar faces and strangers. Hagrid had come back for the ceremony and he stood to one side, he and his wife were too big for the seating. It was unlikely that he and Olympe would come back to Britain as they now ran a Centaur sanctuary in the Camargue. But he had promised to be here today to play for the memorial and of course he did not want to turn down a chance of seeing his godchildren Calum and Caitriona. Remus and Tonks sat holding hands as much in love as ever. This was the first Memorial Service that any of these four brave individuals who had done so much in the war against Voldemort had been able to attend, hounded from the UK shores as they had been.

Severus then noticed Andromeda, sitting beside her daughter, looking beautiful and proud, the last of the Noble House of Black. She was busy and celebrated these days since it had been made public that she invented the potion that cured Lycanthropy, but she like Severus was far too experienced to let fame so late in life go to her head, she caught his eye and smiled at him.

The Weasleys were here too supporting Bill; he had remained as Minister by popular demand, he was honest and fair and was doing his best to slowly introduce much needed change to the magical community. Bill’s reforms included total equality for all magical creatures. Except for house-elves who could now choose if they wished freedom, Bill’s wife Fleur ran a support network, which offered aid and support to those house–elves that did wish to be free. It was early days yet; but there was a general hope that in future all elves would enjoy the same freedoms as other magical creatures.

Fleur was supported and advised by Draco, who was using his not inconsiderable charm to tour the country talking to elf factions supported by Harry’s rather eccentric friend Dobby and another elf named Winky who ran “House-Elves Anonymous” for those who wished to seek freedom but who did not quite know how to go about it, talking about her own experiences to those who were interested.

Finally the doors opened once more and in came Harry, Draco and the children. The murmur of the crowd grew louder as everyone noticed their arrival but the solemnity of the occasion was such that people seemed reluctant to call out or cheer, but Severus suspected it was a close run thing.

Draco was holding Finn’s hand but as soon as he saw Severus the little boy tore away from his second father and came running to him, clambering into his lap and plugging in his thumb as he reached the strong safety of his great uncle.

Over the past year Severus had come to know happiness unlike any that he had ever believed possible for him. Harry and Draco had taken him into their family, and it was their family, because after a few months of shyness and tentativeness, Draco had simply blossomed. He had lost the insecurity that had marked the eighteen months before Harry’s return, and had taken up his directorship of the Lenoir Foundation, which he handled with gusto and aplomb, along with his work with the elves.

Hermione had indeed helped Harry’s hearing too, she had arranged for Harry to have a cochlear implant, which had been specially modified so that it did not react to magic. It did not give Harry anything like perfect hearing but it did enable him to distinguish some sounds. Harry said it was like being at the bottom of a swimming pool, sounds were distant and distorted. Severus suspected that Harry often turned it off, as it seemed to annoy him at times. But at least he could hear his children’s voices and he could use it on occasions like today.

Hermione had followed the cochlear implant by coming up with an ingenious spell that allowed Harry to see the words that people had spoken written in the air beside them. This seemed to suit him better. The children had thought this hilarious until Hermione adjusted it so that Harry alone could see the words through a special adaptation to his glasses. Nevertheless Severus had felt a bit chilled when Harry told him that the first time he had ever seen words written in the air like that was when Voldemort had used them in the Chamber of Secrets, when he had been just thirteen.

Coming into the hall with Harry and Draco were Fi and Iona, the latter moved swiftly over to sit beside him. She slipped her hand, with its emerald engagement ring proudly displayed through his arm and turned to smile at him, lovingly.

Finally the ceremony was ready to start.

Minerva McGonagall, moved forward and cast Sonorous in order to read aloud the words carved into the stone. Just as she had every year for the last twelve.

For all those we have lost, or who have gone before,
We will hold you in our hearts forever more.

But she had scarcely finished reading when the room suddenly grew very, very cold. The doors that had been wide open slammed and sealed themselves shut. There were gasps from some of the members of the crowd and even Severus felt a little unsettled. Minerva paused in her reading surprised, but other than a little comforting squeeze of the children’s hands Harry and Draco did not react at all.

Once more the temperature dropped and the gasps turned to mutterings until of a sudden in front of the crowd a silvery mist began to appear. The mist rapidly grew and changed shape, appearing to solidify, to enlarge, until there in the Great Hall of Hogwarts School, standing before them was the ghost of Albus Dumbledore.

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, Minerva, I hope you don’t mind the intrusion?” He said, his words echoing around the otherwise silent hall. He was smiling at them all, benevolently. But even Albus, great wizard as he had been, could not make a ghost’s eyes twinkle. Minerva, stunned at the unexpected appearance of the ex-headmaster, mutely shook her head.

“How good to see you all here today, to remember the fallen, to remember the dead,” he paused here and looked around at the audience who sat rooted to their seats, unable to move or to make a sound.

“Once every few millennia a gift is given to we who have gone before, we can choose to come back to complete unfinished business, well I stand before you today to complete mine. I come with a warning….and with a thank you.

“The warning is for all of you.

“I had thought after the terror that was Grindelwald, there would be no more hatred. But twice in my lifetime the wizarding world was ripped apart by hideous war. Twice, hatred and prejudice dominated our world and took lives before their time. Destroyed families, killed children. And once more, after I was already dead, that hatred took over government and worked in a much more insidious way, to destroy us from within.

“These causes were promoted by hatred and supported by evil, but also my friends they were supported by you. Those of you who stood by and let that evil happen, you too bear responsibility; you too have blood on your hands.

“There are those among you today who have returned to mourn for the first time as those who should have supported you expelled them and chased them away. And beside them stand those who let our heroes be chased away and lifted not a finger to help them or a voice to call themselves friend. Hatred for the other, for those who are not like us, should have no place in our world.

“We are not many, we who have magic, and we should nurture each other and care for our neighbours and family and friends. This time last year my friends we stood on the brink of destruction, for without our magical, creatures, how long before magic leaves the world? Without our Muggleborn children how do we keep our magic fresh? Without our noble families how do we secure those traditions that are good and strong?

“That we stand here today is largely due to the efforts, of one man and a small group of his supporters and friends who saved our world. Once against the overt danger of an evil wizard and once more against the more sinister danger of secret hate.”

The shade of the wizard turned to Harry and Draco.

“Mr Potter, for giving up your childhood to fight a war.

“We thank you!

“For enduring torture beyond our imagining.

“We thank you!

“And for standing against prejudice where ever you find it and always striving to do what is right

“We thank you once again.”

Albus Dumbledore bowed low before Harry and before Draco, both of whose eyes shone with tears and then he straightened up and began to read the list of names that were carved into the obsidian plaque.

Only this time the list of names was far longer than before and included all of those who had died in the name of prejudice, in several wars. As their names were called, as if summoned, those long dead or lost, appeared before them in ghostly form. They came forward to bow to Harry or to wave and nod to family members before turning towards the great doors that barred the entrance and fading away like morning mist.

One after another they came, mostly silent, in a seemingly unending macabre parade. There was hardly a sound in the hall, just the soft sobbing of myriad members of the crowd, and the muffled weeping of Rubeus Hagrid. On and on marched the stream of spirits, until finally, two laughing men appeared together, eliciting a howl from Molly as Dumbledore continued to read out names…………………., “ “Gideon Prewitt, Fabien Prewitt,” the two men were waving madly at their, sister looking for all the world like older versions of Fred and George…….., ”Sirius Black, Regulus Black,” Two more brothers, arm in arm on the same side at last. They stopped and saluted Harry somewhat irreverently before Sirius said,

“Take care of yourself pup, you did good you know,” and then he moved off before stopping in front of Remus and saying in a voice that seemed to echo from beyond forever. “Look after the next generation of Marauders for me Moony, teach them all we knew.” Then he threw his arm around his brother and disappeared as Albus continued to read ………

”, Amelia Bones, Florean Fortescue, Octavius Ollivander, Emmeline Vance, Bertha Jorkins…….

Cedric Diggory,” A smiling handsome boy, who had died for no reason and had been forgotten by all except a loving father. A man who still kept his memory alive and stood watching with tears rolling down his cheeks as his son took part in the sombre parade. “Oliver Wood” …… the old Gryffindor captain appeared with a huge grin on his face and saluted his former seeker for the final time,……………

. “Filius Flitwick, Rolanda Hooch, Gregory Goyle, Patricia Finnegan,……. Alastor Moody” Clumping by holding on to his trademark wooden leg, even in death…, ”Percy Weasley”…redeemed to his family at last, he was smiling and waving at them as he passed……, “Angelina Johnson, Terry Boot, Margaret Boot, Dennis Creevey, Rachael Morrison, Zachary Smith, Lucinda Smith, Malcolm Smith, Daphne Greengrass, Lavinia Greengrass, Geraldine Clearwater, Dedalus Diggle,…..”

“James Potter, Lily Potter” ….. Who stopped for only a moment, and looked at their son with such love in their eyes that even Severus was undone. Fat tears rolled unchecked down his cheeks as he watched the interaction. “We are so proud of you my son!” James said quietly. Severus, looking on, marvelled at how young he was, this erstwhile enemy. In truth he was merely just another boy who had died too soon, desperately trying to protect his family. And all at once Severus felt the long standing hatred of this man, who barely was a man, disintegrate like the ghosts had been doing at the end of the parade.

Lily had stopped now, and she was staring hungrily at Harry and his children as if she would like to gather them in her arms and hold them forever. “We love you our Harry our darling child,” she murmured, before turning to bestow just one smile on the brother she had not known as such in life then following the others out of site of the mortal throng

Narcissa Malfoy, Who also stopped, just for a moment, “We are so proud of you Draco.” She said, reaching out a ghostly hand to brush gently across his cheek a light, cold, feathery touch.

Then finally Lucius Malfoy came forward as his name was called

He stood before Draco gazing upon him with eyes that seemed to burn with pride that was inside him.

“I love you Draco.” He said. “Live well and be happy my son. You are indeed the last and the best of the Malfoys.” He bowed down before his only child his face filled with love and respect.

Then he and Narcissa turned towards the door, just as the others had and faded slowly away.

The march of the fallen had seemed to take forever and yet take no time at all.

Lucius Malfoy it seemed was the final participant, because no more appeared and as the ghosts finally vanished from sight Dumbledore came forward one last time, stood before Harry and bowed deeply once more.

“Thank you my boy.” He said with infinite sadness. “Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. I wish I could have spared you the hardship that you had to suffer, have given you the childhood that you should have had. But you came though it all, my boy, so well, so bravely. I am proud to have known you Harry Potter.” Then with a quick wink at Draco he smiled that twinkly smile of his for the last time and then slowly disappeared

For a moment nothing happened, everyone one was still and then Hagrid came forward as had been arranged; and with tears still rolling down his cheeks he put a battered old bugle to his lips, and slowly, sweetly, putting all the effort and love that he could draw upon into the music he began to play the haunting tune of The Last Post

The hairs on the back of Severus’ neck stood up and he shivered as the last notes of the beautiful, time honoured melody echoing in the hall, faded away.

The hall was completely silent, even the weeping had stopped, as each and every person there stood still and quiet, each one wrapped in their own memories. Severus was sure that nobody who had attended this ceremony and witnessed this scene would ever forget what had transpired today, and maybe; just maybe it would make a difference

Finally at the end of it all, Minerva read aloud the words of the Muggle poem still carved starkly and plainly: into the stone, just as she did every year in her rich Scottish accent, at a measured pace that was unbelievably moving. As if they had not already been moved beyond imagining.



For The Fallen

They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old:
Age shall not weary, them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them*



EPILOGUE


Draco was striding across the hillside; he was much better at walking than Harry was. Harry wanted to run everywhere, but Draco had the patience to relax and enjoy the sharp clear air of a Highland September. Plus his long, lithe legs strode ahead and made short work of the bumpy ground and tangled heather bushes. They had decided not to do a hill walk today; they were just going for a hike, him and Harry alone together.

He reached the stream that was their destination long before Harry did, and threw himself down on a grass covered bank so that he could observe his lover’s progress in peace

Harry was beautiful. So very beautiful and there was not a day went by that Draco did not thank his good fortune that Harry was his, for always. He smiled to himself though as he saw that Harry was just a tiny bit tender today. They had just come back from their visit to France; four days that Draco was sure would become an annual treat. They had gone a bit later this year, once the children had returned to school, Gryffindor Rory now joining his Ravenclaw sister Flora.

This time Harry had bought them both shiny new bicycles, which he insisted they rode around the quiet roads of the green, open countryside in which they were staying. They spent many happy hours exploring and travelling like Muggles. Draco had loved it, now that his injuries were healed he had fully returned to his natural grace. He would never again take his gracefulness for granted, he revelled in it. Harry would never have such grace, he was fast and he was brave, and when he flew! When he flew it was like poetry in the air. But there was too much of the gangly puppy about Harry for him to ever be truly graceful, so Draco knew he would have to settle for magnificent instead.

He saw Harry’s features clearly now that he had closed the distance between them. He watched his lover clambering over a large rock in order that he might scramble up to join Draco. The sunlight caught all of a sudden on the matching cuffs that Harry wore to complement Draco’s. It had taken Draco a year, but this time he had tied Harry to the bed and removed his body hair in order to indulge in a little snack. But Draco had never had a sweet tooth so it was not his fault if there had been some acidic preservatives in Draco’s favourite spread, which perhaps stung the tender area of Harry’s cock and balls. He had licked it off as fast as he could, thrilling in the sound of Harry’s screams as he writhed beneath him.

That was Harry’s weakness really, he was more Slytherin than any other Gryffindor that Draco had ever met, but he was still a Gryffindor and he had such a kind heart. He might like to play games, but that is all they were all they ever were and Draco would only need to look a bit sad or shed a tear and Harry would stop whatever he was doing, all concerned and tend to his lover. Draco should have no such problem ultra Slytherin as he was, he should take advantage of Harry’s soft heart, but he found that he must have some Gryffindor in him too because when it came to Harry, Draco’s heart was as soft as butter.

Harry reached him finally, “Hiya,” he smiled as he threw himself down beside Draco and leaned over for a kiss. Draco let him claim his kiss and then pushed him off as he unpacked their picnic.

He thought back to the Memorial Day and to Dumbledore’s appearance. He still had not quite got over that day, but neither as far as he could see, had anyone else. The old headmaster had been right, and everyone knew it. They surely had been on the brink of disaster, of annihilation. It would have taken a few more years but in a generation at most, the world that they knew would have been destroyed, lost to prejudice and hate.

He thought warmly of his parents who seemed happy and united in death as they had not been in life, and he thought wit a certain tenderness of Lucius, his arrogant father who had tried to mould Draco into a mirror image of himself but seemed prouder of him as he was.

It had only be a month but everyone was trying. Bill Weasley as Minister for Magic was continuing to push for reform. It was no longer acceptable to use casual racism against other magical folk, or against Muggles for that matter. Draco was too shrewd to believe that prejudice could ever been completely eradicated from any society. But if enough people stood up against it then at the very least it made those opinions distasteful, shameful, something people kept to themselves.

That could only mean a better world for the children when they grew up. And they were such lovely children, Harry’s children. His children too now since the formal adoption. They had welcomed their “elf” into the family without a single qualm it seemed. They were quite proud in fact of finding him for their daddy. They had welcomed Severus too.

Severus Snape had perhaps changed more than anyone apart from himself over the last year; Draco thought it was a strange thing to see Severus happy. He had joined their family and was almost always at their house, being sequestered by the children to read stories, or spending time with the vivacious Iona, who teased him out of his grumpiness and pricked his pomposity when it reared its head. He and Harry had really become quite fond of each other in a rather tentative way. Severus would maybe always feel a certain coolness towards James Potter’s son, but Harry with his giving nature had embraced into his family him anyway.

Dumbledore had praised Harry’s heroism for rescuing the world but Draco knew that he had rescued a number of individuals too. Remus and Tonks, Hagrid, Severus and of course Draco himself. If Harry had not returned when he did, Draco would have been lost to madness; the long slow descent had been nearly complete. Draco knew that the abyss would always be waiting for him, but Harry kept the demons away and held him tight when he woke screaming from nightmares, drenched in sweat, thrashing and crying. But he helped Harry too, Harry had dreams, how could he not after what he had been through? And then it was Draco’s turn to hold and soothe him. But right now on this splendid autumn day Harry was speaking so he pulled himself away from his thoughts and looked instead at the man who was his lover.

Harry smiled at him, those glorious green eyes dancing with joy opening his mouth to say something, but just then in the corner of his vision something caught his attention and Draco turned to see a huge pair of Blue Hawk dragonflies, dancing by in the light airs of this glorious day. Harry followed his gaze, and smiling tenderly at his lover said

“It’s been a good year for dragonflies hasn’t it Libellule?”

And Draco, grinning smugly had to agree that it certainly had.

FinA/N - This is truly the end, I hope you enjoyed it, thanks for all your lovely reviews and thank you for sharing my story with me. Luciexx