Capítulo 27: Chapter 27 The End
Remus Lupin looked up at the castle. Light was spilling from the open doors that let out to the decorated gardens. Hagrid's pumpkins proudly on display.
"The students are safe once again." Auror Tonks said. "I'm glad the attack was a false alarm."
No other dementors ever showed up, and the one barge full was banished by the knights a few days before as the calendar read. It was months to the werewolves on guard.
At the castle, sudden yowls and growls were heard from the Forbidden Forest. To the auror, that was nothing that unusual.
Six months with no moon had done a wonder for Remus Lupin. His healer wanted to do a study, but Remus was worried about living too long in the arena. He wanted to see Harry's cubs someday, not age a hundred years over a few weeks!
Lupin and Rowle planned to gather up trapped werewolves and question them with veritaserum. Then likely deal justice amongst themselves.
As for Greyback, he hadn't been seen yet, but if he was among those trapped, Remus wouldn't be letting him go. Fenrir had killed Kyle Rosier in cold blood. The werewolf could smell magic, and would know that the boy didn't have enough to survive.
Any sense of compassion went right out with that knowledge. He was a very, very bad dog, and needed to be just put down like one.
**OO**
Dumbledore was ranting. "Harry Potter is evil! Look! I was with him, eating peacefully the night I was brought here. He poisoned the potions master, then me. I've lost my magic, and it's his fault! He needs to be arrested!"
The healer gave the man a sleeping potion, and mirror called Monseigneur Brown. The man was getting worse, and every time he woke up, he would rant again.
The next time he woke, he continued in the same mode.
Dumbledore was on roll in his anger. "Harry Potter should have been my student. I was his mentor! He should never have been betrothed to that girl, either. She's evil, too! Murdered one of my professors in cold blood!"
The hospital had plenty of students, apprentices, knights, squires, and support staff of the Order running around. They all reported in to what the great man was saying, and no one could calm him. He was getting worse.
Dumbledore was not quiet in his accusations or his feelings in regard to the violent ways of the Knights of the Order.
Monseigneur Brown requested and received help. A visiting French auror, collecting evidence at the school for a different trial was brought to the hospital. Auror Mattheson was not a former knight, had no connection to the Order, and was viewed as a neutral party to listen to the man's complaints.
"James Matheson! I haven't seen you in some time." Dumbledore declared. "How have you been, my boy?"
"Busy. I'm Captain Matheson now. I've been asked to come and potentially file charges against Harry Potter. The situation with Hermione Granger has been sent to the ICW Security office already. Before we start, I want you to understand this, sir. Making a false complaint in Italy is a crime. And yes, I am recognized as an International Auror with a badge in Italy, Greece, Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, and of course France."
"You have been busy since graduating. Such a shame you left Britain."
"Yes sir." James wouldn't point out that starving in Britain or working outside of it were his two options, if he wanted a magical job that was.
"Now, do you understand that you can be tried with a crime if you make a false accusation?" James asked.
"But the boy stole my magic! That is a crime!"
"Mr. Dumbledore. I asked you a yes or no question. Answer it. Then one of two things will happen. I will listen to your complaint, and ask you questions about it or I will leave."
"Dear boy, you never asked me anything about anything yet, and Harry Potter stole my magic!"
James crossed himself and prayed. "Mr. Dumbledore, as an authorized auror in Italy, it is my job to inform you that filing a false accusation against a Knight of the Order is a crime. Do you wish to proceed with your complaint?"
"Of course, I want to complain! Harry Potter stole my magic!"
"Very well. The complainant understands that filing a false report is a crime. We will proceed. I have several questions for you, Mr. Dumbledore." The auror started on a list.
Listening to the old wizard had become something viewed as entertainment in the hospital. Young knights and old snuck up to the open door, no one had said this had to be kept quiet. Squires took notes on the auror's technique of avoiding the verbal traps of the older statesman while rewording his questions several times, and carefully recording the answers.
The session ended with a very cranky and heavily pregnant Zora Zabini coming in.
"You asked for this orb, Captain?" Sir Charles' wife asked.
"Thank you, madam. Mr. Dumbledore, will you please hold this?"
The orb glowed, and numbers started increasing rapidly. They stopped around his age, very respectable, since you needed less than a third of it to get into Hogwarts. James thanked the woman as he returned the device, and she left.
"Mr. Dumbledore, I find that you have filed a false report against Harry Potter. I will be pressing charges against you in both Italy and France. Italy, since this is the host country, and France, as that is where the ICW meet.
"You will need to obtain an attorney…"
"I did no such thing! Look at this!" Dumbledore took up his fruit skewer, and attempted to cast lumos just as Kyle Rosier once did. It lit very well. For a fruit skewer, that is.
Dame Rebecca Flores, in charge of security for the day showed up just then. The ranting had gotten several sisters upset, and she had come at their request.
The lady saw the problem instantly, as did others. Several knights reached into hidden pockets, moke skin bags, hidden boot sheaths, all to come up with a dozen spare wands for the great wizard to try. All of them worked much better, the last having quite bright sparks.
It did have a phoenix feather core. Dame Rebecca smiled proudly, happy to give the man her spare despite his accusations against her former squire.
"Goodness me. I must pay you for this, your wand seems to like me." Dumbledore stated, looking very surprised.
A young knight asked to try Dumbledore's wand, and got nothing. It was passed around, and when it got to her, she did what had to be done. Dame Rebecca got out her own wand and banished Dumbledore's.
"It's burned out, sir. You can keep my spare as a gift. Shame that, but it happens all the time to us." Fluidly returning her wand to the holder on her wrist
"You destroyed my wand!" Magic flared in the room. At the school, Luna screamed, but it was far too late.
The old man attacked the unarmed knight with a powerful bolt of lightning. It lifted her off the floor, and slammed her into the far wall. The lady crumpled like a puppet with its strings cut.
A dozen disarmament spells, stunners and all shot at the old man, sending him flying back into the bed, hitting the side of it painfully, and had him winding up on the floor. No one moved to help him.
Sir Gerard bent down to lovingly pick up the young woman.
"She's dead, isn't he?" James asked softly, grieving with the man who asked him to come here.
There was a moment where they all just stopped. The knights could feel a presence, but then in a flash of gold wings, He and his charge were gone.
"Yes. My friend is dead. She was the most amazing knight. She will not be forgotten." Sir Gerard said softly.
"All of you know the drill in this situation. Give your memories to this auror. I will send a letter to the queen. We'll do the trial in Paris, and Auror Matheson will take the prisoner there. Albus Dumbledore killed a knight. Not in defense, and certainly not in honorable combat. I bear witness that I will demand justice for my former squire. She should have been perfectly safe here. Safe."
Tears rolled down the man's cheeks.
"If she hadn't banished that wand, I was going to. It's what we do for one another. No one leaves burnt out wands lying around. In an emergency, and they are useless. You taught us that." A young knight defended.
"She gave that lesson to the new cohort that just got wands." One of the boys said. "She was always nice."
The assembled members of the Order formed an honor guard to escort their fallen comrade to an empty room.
Dumbledore was left lying on the floor, not a single soul willing to aid him.
**OO**
After that, Albus Dumbledore was moved to the ICW Infirmary that was next to the prison there. He was awaiting trial for the murder of a knight. The minor charges of false accusations hadn't even been filed.
**OO**
Luna was in a tall tower, crying, and very upset.
Hermione joined her friend, getting out her stitchery. Sister Gisele had drilled them all to be busy. "Clean something, fix something, help in some small ways during your down time! Don't let busy work use up the main hours of the day!
"She's going to miss my ceremony, now." Hermione's tears flowed too. "She taught me to overcome my fear of flying, she taught me so much. I wasn't there to protect her when she needed me."
"There was nothing you could have done. If you had been there, you would have died too." Luna wiped tears. "I'm so sorry I failed you."
"You didn't fail anyone. New safety protocols are going in the hospital, just like the runes that Sir Jerome is having laid on the path between here and the hospital to prevent portkeys. Every time something bad happens, the Order takes it and asks 'how can we do better next time?' Have you seen anyone waste time on blaming? Other than pranks?"
Luna smiled at that, sniffing tears. "Neville is really cute."
"In a certain slimy way." Hermione agreed.
"She's proud of you, you know. She's in a special unit in Heaven. The War never stopped. The son on the morning rules only for a time here on earth." Luna stated airily.
"Then we go on the offensive to take everything back." Hermione concluded. "Thank you for saying that about my knight. I am going to miss her so much."
"We all well. But the twins are coming soon. There will be a lot of laughter." Luna predicted.
"They had better learn to leave me alone, or I predict that there will be a lot of pain in the future. Their pain."
Luna nodded, not quite ready to laugh at the joke attempt, but at least smiling.
"Do you remember when she first taught us how to ride a hippogriff?" Luna reminisced.
**OO**
When Minerva McGonagall found out what had happened at the hospital with Dame Rebecca, she went and confessed all to the Knight Commander. She also offered her resignation.
Sir Romano scoffed, and showed her the memory of the incident. Albus Dumbledore had been suffering rages, but until that moment didn't have a focus to use for his magic. What happened wasn't Minerva's fault, and certainly wasn't Rebecca's fault. McGonagall then decided to return to Hogwarts anyways, feeling guilty for her part in Albus not returning there. She would do what she could to make the school a far sight better, now that they had a template of what a good school was. Filius had decided to stay at least until Yule to give the new Britain a chance.
Minerva had been offered the job before, but hadn't decided. This helped make that choice.
The ICW ordered Dumbledore to undergo a complete medical and mental evaluation. However, Dumbledore's non-violent philosophy of stun enemies and capture them mantra, that had been accepted as his signature way, had been destroyed in an instant.
He was found competent to stand trial, and had to face the Knights first.
The High Council had convened once again, this time in their office at the ICW in Paris. Dumbledore had no choice to appear.
However, Albus Dumbledore refused to cooperate with their questioning. All he could do was accuse the three knights of 'his' students: Sir Hector, Dame Rebecca and Sir Rodney of malfeasance and evil teaching. His vitriol against the students were even worse.
He justified his actions as protecting the students of Hogwarts and Ecole Merlin from the likes of her.
Dumbledore didn't stop there. His accusations against Harry Potter were from theft of Dumbledore's magic, to being an incipient Dark Lord. Neville was accused of receiving the blood of innocents to power his magic. Hermione was accused of murder and something else, but Harry had tuned out the rant by that point in the proceedings, and didn't hear any more. The man had clearly obsessed over a prophecy. Despite being allowed to watch selected memories, he couldn't accept that Tom Riddle, aka Voldemort was gone.
They even brought in the goblin over inheritances to give evidence.
After a time, the council put a silencing charm on the raging man.
"Something happened when Albus lost that wand." Mad-eye stated. "He's been acting more and more aggressive. I've never seen him so out-of-control. It's embarrassing to watch him, it is."
"I haven't seen his familiar. Do you remember seeing Fawkes at Hogwarts? Flying around? Or fishing." Rock asked.
Harry concentrated, and sang phoenix song, and the magnificent bird appeared. Phoenixes loved fresh fish and berries, well fruit of most kinds. Harry gave him treats from his bag.
"You came back!" Albus mouthed. He managed to wandlessly bring down the silencing charm. "You came back."
Fawkes ignored Dumbledore, and 'talked' to Harry for a bit before leaving.
Remus Lupin, who had been allowed in as Monseigneur Brown and Sirius Black were not, conferred quietly with the young knight.
"What did Fawkes say?"
"I can call him at need, but he's no longer friends with the bearded one." Harry stated sadly.
No other testimony was needed for the Council. The Great Albus Dumbledore who believed in second chances for the truly evil was stripped of his Order of Merlin.
The knights had given him a chance to tell his side of the story. Dumbledore's side was that he saw all of the knights as worthless, killing machines, and justified his actions in killing a knight in cold blood.
Sir Hector was glad that Luna had warned them not to visit Dumbledore. Rebecca was on duty, and wouldn't see her actions as going against that advice. It wasn't a casual visit.
Albus Dumbledore then had to face a criminal trial in the same room where he once led as Supreme Mugwump. Where he preached kindness and forgiveness. Charged with the murder of a young woman not yet thirty years old.
There was a plea bargain of some kind made, and Dumbledore was not put to death. The man would go to prison for the rest of his life. He would be put to work in controlled circumstances, much like Snape had. Only Dumbledore would be working in alchemy, rather than teaching vulnerable children. And unlike Snape, Dumbledore would stay in prison.
Albus asked to see Harry first week there.
Harry sent a politely worded "No Thanks."
Dumbledore was allowed to write, and keep a journal, it allowed him write out his thoughts. He would never walk free again for the rest of his days. And though a priest was sent occasionally, Albus never, ever repented of killing in cold blood.
**OO**
There was no will for Tom Riddle at Gringotts, but the vault that held contributions from his followers was up for redistribution, as the owner had died.
Voldemort was 'not just merely dead, but was most sincerely dead' if the goblins released his vaults. They never made mistakes like that.
The Order put in a request for a share as compensation for expenses made in the course of keeping the Wizarding World safe.
Mad-eye, as Court Wizard to Her Majesty Millicent requested a share as taxes to start a royal treasury.
Alastor wanted to make sure that vault was highly taxed before distributing, as the royal treasury currently consisted of Millicent's allowance from a small trust, Joseph's allowance from a larger trust, and two thousand galleons that Harry found out that Remus had kept for him in Britain. He said he was a betrothal gift, and intended to sweeten it at some future date. When he sold his mirrors to aurors around the world.
The goblins took 25% off the top to give to the royal treasury. Of what was left, they gave each person that participated in the raid at Malfoy Manor a share: Sirius Black, Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy, Sir Charles Hector (who wasn't supposed to be there), and Sir Jerome and Dame Rebecca Flores (who were supposed to be there). They all shared two thirds. A full one-third went to Hermione Granger as a reward for saving magical Britain from an on-going threat that no one had identified.
The Order was given Dame Rebecca's share, and the goblins put her picture on their Warrior's wall for her efforts in ridding evil in Britain. Not that they told the wizards about it.
The Goblins also handed over a thick wad of current muggle money for Dan to share as he liked with the muggles. That had been exchanged at a reduced rate for the warriors, happy to have a reason to reclaim gold for Gringotts in a legal and official way.
The money to Harry and Hermione were held in a trust that couldn't be gotten into until after they stopped being knights, and was called a wedding gift from Gringotts.
Sir Hector, no longer under contract, accepted the gold sheepishly, but with a baby coming soon, wasn't going to turn it down.
**OO**
Sirius Black came bounding into the side room set up for this purpose. "Happy Christmas."
Hermione and Harry played eye tag; Neville smirked while Joseph looked confused.
"I thought that was in December, not November." Joseph stated. He was visiting Sir Jerome for the weekend, but had to go back to his grandparents soon.
"Yes, but I found the presents I was going to give you in the arena, then we didn't do Yule, so it is."
The teenagers laughed and gave in. Surprise, surprise, it was pranking items. But it did lift their moods a bit. Which of course was the plan.
"How did you like the broom I gave you, godson? Specialty item that."
"Well, I couldn't. I just couldn't."
"You didn't open it?" Padfoot was clearly disappointed.
"I didn't get rid of it! I just couldn't open it then but now that you're here!" Harry carefully took out the miniature tent form his moke skin bag and set it up. He soon walked out with a broom-shaped wrapped package."
"Well, go on! Go on!"
Harry looked at his friends, wishing he could just keep it wrapped. But he did it. He pulled off the paper. Eyes closed.
"PUP!" Padfoot yelled.
It was a dog-biscuit. A huge, broom-shaped dog biscuit.
"The stasis charms held! Yes! It will still be fresh! Can you imagine? Your dorm mates come in and see Mighty chewing up a broom?"
The young people started chuckling. Harry turned into his wolf form, no longer just a pup, and bounded towards the marauder, who quickly changed to his Grim form.
They were soon playing tug-o'-war with the big treat, with the watching untransformed students howling with laughter.
**OO**
Joseph was picking some flowers for his grandmother when it happened. A large black and orange striped slug plopped slimily on his hand from somewhere above.
"Arrgg! What was that?" Joseph shook his hand rapidly.
The slug, perforce, went sailing into the air, but before it hit the glass, transformed in Neville Longbottom.
"Arresto Momentum! Way to go, Joseph. You turned that prank right around on me. Who told? I'm sure Hermione didn't."
Joseph was rather shaken. "I don't know what you're talking about. I really don't."
"This is how I escaped during the last task." Neville explained. "I'm a slug."
Joseph looked at the slime on his hand and at his friend, and started laughing.
"Harry couldn't find you! Because you…hahahah..you…hahaha…you slipped away."
Neville joined his friend in the laughter, happy that this prank worked, in a odd kind of way.
**OO**
"Your majesty? You requested my presence?" Sir Harry asked, seeing the lovely young girl gazing out at the garden. They were meeting in the palace in Italy where Millicent was staying. And taking what Fleur called 'princess lessons'.
"Harry! I was lost in thought." Millicent tromped over, until her advisor cleared her throat, and she took smaller steps.
Harry started to bow, but she was having none of it.
"Thank you! I remember everything you offered me, in true friendship. You and Hermione and Neville and Joseph were my first ever real friends. You didn't care how I looked, or anything. You offered me a home, and an honorable life. Thank you, Harry."
Milli kissed his cheek, and for just a half second, he was tempted to kiss her. Just to see. But the moment passed, and he stayed true to his first and only love.
"Planning on going back to Britain?"
"Hogwarts used to be where court was held. The populace would gather once a month. If we can find a way to make it safe for the students, that might happen again. If not, there's Malfoy Manor that has been offered to me for that use. I hear it has a lovely garden, and a magnificent ballroom.
Harry choked on seeing Millicent holding court in the last place that the Dark Lord did. Even if it was Sirius doing it.
"No hurry. Britain is still overcoming the imperious, and it's going to take time. Amelia Bones accepted a job as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, Mad-eye Moody is going to be my court wizard. Just so you know, he wants to retire in a few years."
"Let me guess the date."
"You are a very clever wizard. I need you and Hermione as nobles of my court. Neville too."
"As you wish your majesty. I can't promise right now, but it sounds like an excellent retirement idea. Thank you."
Millicent gave him a brief hug. "Stay safe out there fighting dragons."
"Yes, your grace. I'm not strong enough to carry a big pole around with me."
"Prat." The young queen shook her head as the young knight bowed and went to his duties.
**OO**
Harry took time to catch up with his friend, Remus Lupin.
"How did the werewolf attack go? We never heard anything about Hogwarts, so I guess everything was fine?"
"The traps worked, mostly. We lost a few werewolves who panicked in the swamps and wound up drowning. Not quite sure how, though. The picnic traps worked well, except for one thing. Apparently, Acromantulas of a certain size really like roasts."
"Wait, since this was werewolves, weren't they given something in them?" Harry was trying to do organic chemistry in his head.
"Oh yes, werewolves came down to eat meat that put them to sleep."
Harry paled "The spiders ate them? Oh no!"
Remus shook his head. "Tried to bite them, draw blood. Spiders go boom. Hagrid's really mad at me."
"I didn't hear about Fenris one way or the other."
"That's because we took a page out of the Malfoy Manor book of wards. We set a trap for just him. He was port-keyed to the middle of the Atlantic. Lisa Turpin was sent the bounty when Gringotts confirmed the kill."
"Wow. She's really smart."
"Yep. And Fred's totally smitten. To the point that they won't be allowed to work together for much longer if he keeps it up." Remus smiled. "George is more involved with inventing, but I think there's a pretty witch at Hogwarts he's going to miss."
"The ceremony for Sister Gisele is next week." Sir Jerome came up to them. With Joseph dropping out the program, and Sir Hector leaving, Sir Harry would be partnered with Sir Jerome for a time.
"Royalty from three countries? I wouldn't miss it!" Remus stated. "And I promise, no pranks! Marauder's honor."
"Who are these Marauders, and can I trust their honor?"
"Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, James Potter and I…"
"Say no more. I've heard of James Potter, and have survived more than one Padfoot prank. And yours too Moony. He was like you and Brother Paddy. Kind and mischievous without being a bully."
"No, we did bully the Death Eaters in school. I think it backfired, but we wanted them to know that there were people willing to stand up to them. That they didn't frighten us." Remus explained.
Harry nodded. "At the school, we're all friends. We've tried to keep our pranks fun, silly, and not picking on any one person."
"You did a good job of that Harry. You need to pass that sage advice with your pranking prowess."
"And I won't do anything to spoil Milli's day, or Sister Gisele. Otherwise, the Angel of Death might be fetching me up early. I don't want to talk to him again anytime soon." Harry said sincerely.
"What's this?" Sir Jerome asked, pale.
"Oh yeah, you two weren't there. Well. How do I begin?"
**OO**
"We honor Gertrude Wagner, a Sister of our Order. Her magical virtue she claimed was Sanctuary. And she worked hard at it, even before taking her oaths. Sister Gisele risked her life many times to save lives She fought in the Resistance in the Grindelwald War in Germany and France, and in the Blood War in Britain. She rescued babies who mothers couldn't escape. But in her guise as a Gringotts representative, she would leave transfigured trash in cribs to look like children who had died of disease. Then smuggle those children to safety, sometimes to the orphanage in Rome.
"It was dangerous work. More than once she was caught, tortured, and imprisoned. And when she was released, she would go right back to work.
"She mothered a score of knights. One of those knights wondered why I ordered her to her death. He kept his silence for the sake of the mission. Her last mission."
"Sister Gisele deliberately goaded the Death Eater known as Lucius Malfoy. Poured scorn on his son in public, threw verbal barbs at him more than once hoping that he would kill her. With her murder, she hoped that whatever evil was going on in Britain would be unearthed. And it would be cleansed by her children of her heart. We knights."
Sir Romano had to stop a moment, and blow his nose. Wipe his eyes. He wasn't the only one.
"Sister Gisele was murdered. Murdered for the crime of rescuing children. Murdered for the crime of helping captive women escape. Murdered for being a friend of orphans like Harry Potter.
"But her murder was solved, and it did help bring to light the great evil that covered the land. More than fifty Wizengamot members had been held in bondage for years under the imperious. The murderess has been caught and is serving life in prison. The evil coven was indeed found, and the tendrils that allowed the power of the adversary to flow into these witches was severed!"
The crowd yelled and shouted with joy for that. The cheering went on for a time. The Darkness was what they fought after all.
"When Gertie Wagner was younger, she was offered to follow the path. I recruited her for our school, and she took her sacred vows to become Sister Gisele. Today, a friend of hers, Minerva McGonagall, is here to accept an award on her behalf. Please come forward."
The cat animagus was dressed in a professor's robes, with a bit of tartan on her shoulder.
"For Bravery in the face of the enemy, for strength to continue on, knowing that she was giving up her life to help the orphans of Britain, we honor Sister Gisele with an Order of Merlin, First Class."
The Knight Commander put the medal around the neck of Minerva McGonagall as she was standing proxy for Sister Gisele.
Sir Romano allowed the audience to clap some more, and waited for a pause.
"Her portrait recently awoke, and will be available to visit soon. Her accomplishments take up four plaques. We ask that no one swear around her, as we are not certain if she can do the soap bubble spell, and the artists are concerned about how that would mix with the magical mediums."
Laughter greeted this, but they would be obeying that very logical order. All of them would.
"Let us stand in honor of a brave woman, who didn't just put away the rest of the Death Eaters. She helped free a nation from evil. We honor her!"
Luna, unseen by many, came to the front, and for just a few moments, a silvery figure in flowing robes appeared as they cheered. She met eyes with each one, holding up a hand to wave hello.
For Sir Charles, she spoke. "I love you. Take care of your beautiful daughter. I've been playing with her as she waits. She's so happy to be joining your family."
For Sir Jerome, "I'm sorry I didn't just tell you and say good-bye. I was worried you'd interfere. You are such a wonderful boy. Please forgive me for causing you so much pain."
With tears in his eyes, he nodded. "I do forgive you. I miss you, Tante Gisele."
A second figure in magical amour, translucent and radiant appeared behind her. Rebecca Flores was armed with a flaming sword, and whispered to the lady. Rebecca winked at Hermione, who waved to her mentor.
"I love you all." Sister Gisele stated, leaving Harry, Neville and Hermione a lingering glance. As they all waved good-bye, and both ladies faded from view.
Hermione sobbed into Harry's shoulder. They would miss their cranky Sister Gisele, and one of their mentors they had growing up, but they had gotten to not only honor her, they had gotten a chance to say good-bye to them both.
**OO**
Nine- and three-quarter years later:
**OO**
Sir Harry Potter tried not to admire the tunic-wearing lady knight in front of him that had her back to him.
Two more weeks. He could wait. And drink more potion. Had he become immune to the effects of it?
Dame Hermione was speaking to their friend Neville. Harry was pleased to see him, and held out his hand for shaking.
"Nev! When did you get here? Captain Granger, let me introduce you to my good friend and godbrother Neville Longbottom."
"Oh, hush you! So, how's Daphne? And the baby?"
"This makes what? Three?" Harry hadn't paid attention. The Hungarian Horntail they'd recently dealt with had brought up a slew of unhappy memories.
Like that evil coven that kidnapped girls, used them for sacrifices to power their vile group. Hermione could've been killed! Instead, his bride helped create a ritual that destroyed the power connection to that evil.
"Four children. And with an even score of two and two, I think we are done. Thank goodness for elves, and of course, family." Neville stated.
"I'm sorry that Zora never had the chance to pull the prank you planned."
Hermione's eyes narrowed automatically hearing that word. "What's this then?"
"Oh, Harry didn't tell you? Zora manipulated my former gran into naming her regent. For Alice Longbottom."
"But her daughter is Alice Zabini, isn't it?"
"It is. And was, and if she's like her mother, will forever be. But they were going to use it to kick Gran out, and make sure that she couldn't take anything from me ever again. Alice Longbottom is my mother, don't you know? She and Zora had been friends since forever."
As children, they helped Alice by reading to her. Usually in foreign languages to help the potion settle better.
"Prats! Both of you! Seriously Neville, whatever happened to her? Augusta, I mean. We see Alice occasionally. The trials were still ongoing when I was knighted, and then it's been a whirlwind ever since."
"She's serving life in prison. She deserved worse." Neville stated flatly, and then continued.
"Knowing that she was a member of that coven, and sacrificed others to give me magic? Unnecessarily? I'd been magical all along. If only we'd been taken to St. Michael's. And mum's testimony that it was Narcissa Malfoy poisoning them, not Lucius. That surprised me as well." Neville finished.
"Sir Hector wouldn't take Sister Gisele to St. Mungo's and stated it was due to Death Eater wives volunteering there. Smart lady. Please make sure to say hello to her portrait before you go." Harry asked.
"Already done. We had a nice visit."
"I just don't understand why Augusta acted as she did? It doesn't make sense. She tried to kill your mother, my godmother." Harry queried.
"Just so she could have control of the House for that much longer? But it's done for me. I try not to think about her. Forgive and forget isn't for those that hurt us. It's to help us live happy lives."
"Here, here Nev. I feel the same way about the Dursleys. I wish they were alive to see how happy I am. That they couldn't win." Harry shared.
"How is it living with Sir Charles and Zora there, and their family?" Hermione asked.
"It's a huge manor. Hermione, you are welcome to join us, you know. You can even bring this clown."
"Ha, ha. I told Charles that he was welcome with us too. Dan and Emma are supervising the installation of the house for when we move in a few weeks. Sirius is going to live with us, and Remus and his wife too maybe. Those two are helping the goblins with the 'wizardy' part according to Emma. Apparently, there was an issue getting it too close to the foundation of the old manor. But the view from there is the best."
"Millicent and Joseph are happy." Neville said. "The reorganized Wizengamot is amazing. No more House seats. Ten-year term limits like the ICW. Audits for bribery at random times."
"The witches wanted to control everything, especially the bloodlines. Make sure no creatures or unworthies came in." Hermione opined.
"Very scary how long they controlled things without seeming to. Dumbledore turned a blind eye too long." Neville stated.
"I really don't understand why he let evil thrive." Harry shook his head.
"We have seen what happens with children with no consequences." Hermione offered.
"Malfoy" Harry turned it into a cough.
"How is he doing? Minding his manners?" Hermione asked.
"My brother-in-law." Neville looked bitter on that "Is doing very well. Astoria was happy to marry him, after all that. He got some of the money back he got his magic back. Which was coincidentally, about the same time his parents were sent to prison for the rest of their lives?"
"No coincidence. Planning. Luna got the manor and most of the remaining money. Didn't you hear? Sister Gisele had smuggled out Pandora Malfoy, who was 'labeled' a squib. Narcissa somehow found out about it, and was furious that the woman was alive. The 'accident' that killed Luna's mum was no accident. It was murder over family inheritance, not pureblood rights. Luna inherited it all. She gave the Order the Wiltshire property. I think that they might use it as a orphanage. Nothing has been decided though." Harry shared.
"That's why Draco lives with the Greengrass's." Hermione surmised.
"But why has he been so, I don't know. Cautious? He has been remarkably well behaved. Nothing. No shady dealings, nothing." Neville asked.
"He may think a thing to be true that isn't however." Harry stated cryptically.
Hermione worked it out before Neville, and turned to Harry. "What did you do?"
Neville twigged to it. "He's well behaved because he thinks that you can take his magic away if he does something wrong!"
"Maybe."
"Oh, Harry!"
"What? Did I do something wrong?" Harry asked, quite seriously.
"No, I guess not. But it feels, I don't know. Like manipulation."
"No Hermione. It feels like consequences. He knows that there's a consequence if he breaks the law. Period. Everyone should feel that."
"And now, with the new laws, it is getting better."
"Mad-eye sending the school any muggleborns, still?" Neville asked. "I know that squibs are now more opening being sent there. Well, here. Ecole Merlin."
"Yes, the rescue mission goes on. But at least it's not from pureblood interest shown to the vulnerable. It's more saving kids from parents who just can't accept their own children's abilities."
"We'll likely always need that." Hermione said glumly, remembering her own unhappy beginnings at school.
"At least we had each other." Neville reminded.
"And we always well." Harry stated.
A squire came running up just then, so Harry stepped away from Neville and Hermione.
"Hermione, he doesn't seem to know that Sirius Black and your father's goblin team found Potter mansion intact under strong notice-me-not wards set by Dumbledore. What did that man hope to accomplish by this?"
"I don't know Neville. I refuse to allow that man to hurt my future husband again. Dumbledore accused Harry of stealing his magic when he was in the hospital. And he blamed Harry for losing his Order of Merlin. He never once thought that killing my mentor, our mentor in cold blood was wrong. He considers all of us evil!"
"Dumbledore lost a lot when he did that. I miss her too." Neville said. "So, on a happier note, you're going to set up something about the house?"
Hermione smiled wickedly as the squire turned away, and Harry rejoined them.
She had only one answer for them. "Maybe."
The knights, in a twin swirl of heraldic tunics, turned back to their duties, promising to see their friend at their wedding.
That was in two weeks, but seemed much, much longer.
And they all lived happily ever after.
The End.
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