Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot line, the rest of it, aside from
the unfamiliar, belongs to JK Rowling.
A/N: This is a Harry/Sirius Slash story, mixed in with a Lily & James come back to life (later in the story). It's timed to after Hogwarts & Voldemort's defeat. I happen to love the opening chapter, however this fiction story will take a much longer time to update as I put so much time into writing it. I apologize but this one had to be written delicately, as it's Harry/Sirius, and there are so many details.
Review please!
(Try to keep negative comments to yourself unless they're constructive criticism please!)
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After the War
Chapter One: The Ceremony
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"Hermione! Over here!"
Hermione looked up and grinned at her best friends, Ron and Harry, who were sitting at a table in Three Broomsticks with Ron's wife Annette, and their two children Chester (2yrs.) and Aubrie (6months). Hermione adjusted her own daughter, Aila, and pulled on her husband's hand (Arto Taneli), before leading them over to the group.
Hermione grinned as Harry jumped up and said, "Let me see my beautiful goddaughter!"
Hermione handed her sleeping two-month-old Aila over to her overly zealous godfather and said, "Feel free to keep her for a week Harry, I could use a break. Arto and I are simply dying for a good night's sleep."
Annette and Ron snickered slightly off to the side, they'd used that trick several times to get Harry to take Chester and Aubrie in the past and it rarely worked on him anymore. Harry grinned and said, "A weekend and no more. I just had Damien and Alexandra for an entire week while Draco and Athena went on a second honeymoon. My house elves are still recovering."
Hermione pursed her lips slightly and Harry continued before she could even start, "Please, you know I pay them, they have full benefits, and are free to come and go as they please. All twenty-five of them are possibly the happiest house-elves I've ever seen, and insist on staying with me."
Hermione frowned briefly before nodding and just as she was about to go on Ron yelled out, "Draco! Athena! We're over here!"
Draco and Athena Malfoy had been married since they were seventeen years old, their children Damien (2) and Alexandra (1), were running over with grins straight towards their 'Uncle Harry'. Harry handed Aila back to Hermione and opened up his arms just in time for Damien and Alexandra to jump in them, both of them calling out "Hawwie!"
Harry grinned and kissed their foreheads before saying hello to them. Draco and Athena just chuckled and Draco teased Harry, "When are you finally going to settle down and have a few of your own Harry?"
Harry snorted, even though he and Draco had been friends since their fifth year at Hogwarts when Draco came to Harry for help getting away from his Father and Voldemort, they still teased one another mercilessly. Harry just smiled and said, "Just as soon as I find someone as gorgeous as you are Draco, that happens to be willing to settle down and start a Weasley-sized family."
Ron managed an indignant, "Hey!"
Of course, the rest of them were all laughing. They were getting together exactly one year after the final battle against Voldemort had been occurred. Harry had been working both as an Auror and the Seeker for Puddlemore United at the time, and had since given up the Auror position to take a much-needed vacation from overworking himself.
Harry had been the one to deliver the final blow, cutting Voldemort's head off with Gryffindor's sword before cutting the entire body into pieces as he said several incantations that wouldn't allow for anyone to bring the Dark Lord back. Everyone that had seen had been horrified by what Harry was doing, until it was explained that it was the only way to ensure that no one could ever bring the monster back.
The small group of friends were sitting, enjoying one another's company for a bit while waiting for the last members of their group to arrive before they started their meals and then went on to the memorial being held at Hogwarts. Which was odd as most of the people in their group were now Professors there. Draco taught Ancient Runes, while Athena taught Transfigurations.
Without having to wait long, the Herbology Professor, Neville Longbottom showed up with the Muggle Studies Professor Dean Thomas, and their son Frank, who was just a little over one now himself. With them were the Potions Master, Severus Snape, and his husband the Defense Professor, Remus Lupin, who looked ready to burst from his pregnancy that was due in a few weeks.
Just behind them was Sirius Black, the now Head of the Auror Department, who was helping the Divinations Professor Lavender Brown with her three year old daughter Amanda. Lavender had been dating Seamus Finnigan in their seventh year, and shortly after Lavender found out she was pregnant, Seamus was killed fighting against a heard of Death Eaters.
After waiting nearly twenty minutes, Fred, Katie, Andrew (3) and Daniel (1) Weasley showed up, followed by the Wood family, Oliver, George, and Julia (2). George, Fred and Harry owned the two stores in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade known as Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. While Fred ran the store in Hogsmeade, George ran the store in Diagon Alley, and Harry helped out between the two whenever he could.
Their group finally all there, they sat down amidst the group of children that was slowly starting to out-number the adults present, and enjoyed a rather loud yet fun filled meal. Oliver, ever set on embarrassing Harry, called out over the noise, "So, Harry-mate, when are you going to give into Justin's advances?"
Harry flushed and answered simply, "When he grows a brain."
Everyone who knew the Hufflepuff immediately burst out laughing while Remus pressed, "Well isn't there anyone who catches your eye Harry? We'd all love to see little Potter's running amuck."
Severus, Draco, Athena, Hermione, Arto, Annette and Ron groaned simultaneously at the thought. Severus immediately voiced, "Please, Harry, wait until I retire. I can't handle a third generation in my lifetime."
Harry smirked and said, "Well in that case I'd best get knocked up or knock someone up quick! Maybe we can fit in a fourth generation before you retire, Severus."
Everyone promptly burst out laughing and Hermione suggested, "Well, Harry why don't I set you up with someone? Sirius how about you too? And Lavender! We could have everyone settled by next year if the rest of us worked together."
Sirius, unconsciously, flicked his eyes from Harry to Hermione but conceded knowing it was pointless to argue with her when she got into match-making mode. Lavender point blank refused, she had enough to worry about with Amanda right now and was not planning on dating anytime soon.
Harry sighed, looked at everyone in the group, his eyes lingering on Sirius for a moment. He wasn't sure when, maybe in his fifth year, he developed a crush on Sirius. Shortly after his seventh year he realized his little 'crush' was nowhere near over, and he was falling for Sirius, Hard.
He'd tried to date, had even married once, but in his opinion none of them even compared to Sirius Black. He gave up two years ago on finding anyone who even compared to him, let alone that Harry could fall in love with. Who knew, maybe Hermione would find someone where he couldn't. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Fine. You can try but that doesn't mean I'll like whoever it is."
Remus nodded, having caught the eye glances of both Sirius and Harry, and quickly decided to change the subject as he asked, "So Ron, Fred, George, how are Charlie and Bill?"
The three boys started cracking up and Katie quickly explained, "Fleur owled us all a week ago. She's pregnant, again. I don't know how she does it, my hands are full with Andrew and Daniel, I'd hex Fred's parts off if he got me pregnant again. But I suppose Gabriel (4), Thomas (3), Timothy (2) and Savannah (1) are all angels, though how that happened with Bill for a father, I'll never know."
Oliver chimed right in, "Her owl mentioned that she had hexed Bill when she found out and that after this one, one of the two of them is drinking a potion so they're infertile. The way I see it, the Weasley blood will still break through that and she'll end up pregnant yet again. Thank Merlin I'm with George, and he's a he. I couldn't handle more than one."
Everyone burst out laughing at that knowing he was dead serious. Oliver barely managed with Julia as it was and there was no point in denying it. Annette picked up where Oliver and Katie had left off with, "Charlie, Theodore, Miriam (3) and Adrianne (9months) are all doing fine. Theodore's ready for a vacation though, and from the sounds of it they're leaving the kids with Theodore's parents next month so they can get away for a while."
Athena nodded and said, "Does them good too. Draco and I can't thank Harry enough for last week."
Harry smiled at Athena and said, "You can just repay me when I want to ditch my own kids for a while once they exist. Don't worry, I'll train them to be extra naughty-er I mean, well behaved, when they visit Auntie Athena and Uncle Draco."
Draco mock-glared at Harry and said, "We apologized for the Chocolate Frog incident!"
Harry burst out laughing while Athena explained to all the questioning glances, "Draco thought it would be funny to let Damien loose at a case of Chocolate Frogs before we left the kids with Harry. I didn't know until it was too late, and then Harry ended up with a hyper and over active toddler and a sobbing upset baby girl who wanted to be held and cuddled while Harry was running after Damien."
Harry nodded but then said, "It wasn't so bad, eventually he wore out and threw up. Of course that was all over my Quidditch robes, so I had to have them cleaned, not that I minded, but it took me a week before I could wear them again consciously knowing they were those robes."
Of course that sent most of the group into hysterics while the other half looked torn between throwing up and laughing along. After another half an hour, the group left while Oliver, Hermione and Harry paid for the meal. Hermione, having talked to Remus, casually asked Harry, "So, what are you looking for anyway? I need to know who to set you up with."
Harry smiled and said, "Alright. Honestly right now I'm thinking an older man, handsome, trustworthy. Someone who wouldn't want to date me for fame, or already has enough of his own not to care about mine. Someone I can talk to, who won't mind that half the people I consider family are raving lunatics that leave their children with me for extended periods of time so they can get away. And someone who's looking to settle down, have kids, dogs, the whole deal. I'm tired of dating, and if you're making me I'd much rather have someone who's serious about this Mione."
Hermione nodded, noting that Sirius fit the description perfectly, and asked one more question, "Muggle, Muggle-born, Pureblood or don't you care?"
Harry frowned and said, "Not Muggle. I don't want to have to lie about my career. And I don't want to cover up the Wizard things, especially the house-elves. I refuse to be rude to them."
Hermione nodded and Oliver, who seemed to notice Harry was simply describing Sirius and said, "Hmm, your description sounds awfully familiar."
Hermione glared at Oliver, who took the hint and suddenly said, "Well, let's get back to the castle then. The ceremony should start soon."
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On the other side of town Sirius, Remus, Severus, Athena, Draco and Annette were talking about the same thing. Remus started the conversation by asking, "Well Sirius, what exactly are you looking for? If Hermione and I are going to set you up with some delectable male, we need to know what you want."
Sirius grinned and said, "Alright. Well, someone younger, with a smile that lights up the room. Someone that's easy to talk to and doesn't hold my past against me. Someone who isn't looking for gaining fame through me, or any of my friends. Someone who doesn't mind dogs, who wants to settle down, have kids, that kind of thing. Someone looking for a commitment, and at the same time someone who can put up with pranks and what not."
Remus nearly laughed out loud, Sirius had almost perfectly described Harry. Athena, Draco and Annette noticed as well and sniggered trying to cover it up with their hands and pretending to sneeze. Severus, ever the completely subtle idiot asked, "How much younger?"
Sirius frowned and said, "Age doesn't matter, long as it's legal I suppose. It'd be best if they were able to relate to me, and we got along alright. But whatever works."
Severus, not paying attention to the glares being sent his way, asked, "What about someone Harry's age?"
Sirius blinked and said, "As long as he didn't have a problem with that I suppose not. Is there something you're trying to get at Severus?"
Before anyone could stop him Severus asked, "What about Harry?"
Death glares were now being shot at him and Draco hit Severus upside the head and hissed out, "You idiot! Subtle! Does the word mean anything to you?"
Sirius looked at them all and asked, "Are you suggesting I date my godson?"
Remus sighed, and said, "Sirius, don't tell me you haven't noticed the looks the two of you throw at one another when the other isn't looking. And quite frankly you never had him long enough to BE his godfather or for him to be your godson. Harry bought that house in Godric's Hollow straight out of school, leaving the Dursley's behind. It's not your fault and it's not his, but you've never had legal custody of him you know. And with the eyes you make at one another, no one would doubt it wasn't mutual consent."
Annette, trying to make the best of the situation, chimed in with, "I've seen the looks you send at him Sirius, and the ones Harry sends at you. You love one another in completely non-platonic ways."
Sirius shook his head and said, "I'm not going to pressure him into anything, and neither are any of you."
Remus nodded and said, "Of course not Padfoot. Hermione and I are just going to give you both a little push in the right direction is all."
The conversation ended there as Harry, Hermione and Oliver arrived with one severely blushing Harry. Draco smiled at Harry and asked, "And what is our darling Virgin blushing about?"
Harry's blush deepened and he muttered, "No need to rub it in."
Sighing dramatically Oliver said, "Oh Hermione was just convincing Harry to describe what he was looking for in a man."
Draco nodded and said, "Really, dare I ask what the blushing handsome friend of mine responded with?"
Oliver looked pointedly at Sirius before answering Draco with, "Perfect description of someone I know quite well."
Sirius blushed as Draco smirked and drawled, "Really? Isn't that interesting."
Harry, dumbfounded looked between the two and asked, "Am I missing something?"
The rest of the group burst out laughing, but before anything else could be said, the ceremony was announced to be starting in five minutes. Harry sat down in-between Sirius and Draco during the Ceremony, with Damien on his lap and Alexandra trying to get his attention from Draco's lap. Athena sat next to Draco, thoroughly amused by her children's antics to get Uncle Harry's attention.
Draco, frustrated, looked at his children and asked, "Would you rather go live with Uncle Harry?"
Both children looked at him with huge smiles on their faces as they nodded, causing everyone who heard to laugh nearly hysterically. Harry looked apologetically at Draco and Athena before saying, "Sorry, I guess I'm just more fun then you two are."
Damien, never to be out done, immediately told Harry and everyone else who was listening, "Love you Unce Hawwy!"
Harry just grinned and said, "Love you too Damien."
The ceremony to remember those lost started when Minerva McGonagall stood, and started her speech. Tears were in her eyes as she started, "Exactly one year ago, was the day of the Final Battle against Voldemort. The Light Side won this war, through the hard work of many, many people. However, I think it is most important that the person whom we owe so much for ensuring that Voldemort can never return, is the one that reads off the list of names, and gives his own speech. Harry Potter, please come forward."
Harry, blushing crimson, put Damien in Sirius's lap and slowly walked to the stage where Minerva was, trying to ignore both the clapping and the attention he was getting at this moment. Harry smiled and kissed the Headmistress' cheek before casting the 'Snorous' charm on himself to speak to the crowd. Smiling he said, "I would be honored to read the list of names to which we owe so much. But on a day like today, I also feel as though I should talk about those that slipped into the Dark, as a reminder to us all, that this battle may have been won, but the War against the Dark is not over for the Light side."
Taking a breath, ignoring some of the slack-jawed faces of the audience and impressed stares of those in the Order of the Phoenix. Clearing his throat he continued, "The first name that comes to mind is Tom Riddle. Yes, Lord Voldemort himself. I much prefer to think of him as Tom Riddle, because he was not worthy of the title 'Lord'. Tom Riddle was a little boy abandoned by the Magical Community to an abusive, neglectful Orphanage. It's truly no wonder to me why Tom might have a different view on Muggles. I myself fully understand how he must have felt at the age of eleven to understand that someone out there knew what he was going through, and let it happen."
Everyone was starting at him in shock now, he continued though, "I can understand because you all did the same to me. I grew up in the cupboard under the stairs at my so-called relatives house. It's far too late for you to amend for it, but I had the common sense to know that they were not correctly representing the Muggle community, nor do I have a desire to do anything with my life that Tom Riddle did with his. Someone in this community knew about my circumstances though, because my first letter from Hogwarts was addressed, 'The Cupboard Under the Stairs'. That was my first clue that I was simply a tool."
"Had someone adopted Tom Riddle and raised him in a loving, caring home, we likely wouldn't have been at war with him at all. Had someone bothered to see if I was okay, I wouldn't feel like a tool. I implore you all, don't let this happen to another child. Don't let them fit the stereotypes. Better yet, don't stereotype them at all, simply love them. I often thought that Tom Riddle resembled an over-grown toddler in need of a good spanking and a parent's love."
Smiling slightly he said, "Ironic isn't it? He lashed out like a toddler after all. No, he didn't. He simply lashed out at anyone he could blame, and he could only blame those Muggles that ran the Orphanage, and the Father that abandoned him. After all, my godsons and goddaughters are more well behaved than he ever was I'm sure. For those of you who don't know about Tom Riddle's past, let me tell you."
Looking down for a moment he looked back up and said, "Picture a young man, growing up in Slytherin. Becoming a Prefect and then a Head Boy. The only person in the School that questioned him was Albus Dumbledore. I hate to say it, but Andrew Dippett was a bloody fool. It was not Rubeus Hagrid that let that Basilisk roam the school, only a Parseltongue can control one of those. Tom Riddle got away with murder that year in school by framing Rubeus Hagrid, and everyone but Albus Dumbledore looked the other way."
Smiling he said, "I'm not, by any means suggesting that Albus knew more than we did. I am merely suggesting that Albus looked beyond the label of 'Half-Giant', 'Werewolf' and 'Parseltongue'. These things are not the titles of 'Dark Creatures'. All three have fought for the side of the Light in this past war, and it was a Parseltongue who murdered Tom Riddle. He is one of two people I killed in this war. The second person being Peter Pettigrew."
Chuckling slightly he said, "Oh yes, I still remember Cornelius Fudge's face when I brought in a freshly dead by cutting of the throat Pettigrew. I think he wanted to kill me in that moment. It meant that he would have to publicly announce that HE was wrong about something YET again. Let us never be lead by our Minister again. Had enough people spoken out against Cornelius, perhaps innocents would not have gone to Azkaban while the ungodly guilty roamed free. Had I taken the Minister position that you all offered me, every inmate inside Azkaban would have been offered a vial of Veritaserum, and the innocent let go."
Grinning slightly he said, "However Arthur Weasley did you all one better didn't he? He threw the guilty in there with Dementor's kisses or beheadings, anti-animagus charms on all the cells, anti-illusion and anti- escape charms on the cells. Then he questioned them one-by one before throwing the guilty back in and freeing the innocent. It's utterly pathetic that anyone innocent was in there at all."
"Back to Peter Pettigrew though. Well, to understand that story you have to understand my Father's friends. There was my Father, one of the targets on Voldie's hit list. His best friend Sirius Black, a prankster who nearly got another student killed. His very close friend Remus Lupin, whom we all know as a werewolf, and little Peter who could barely perform the simplest magic. Practically a Squib."
Raising his eyebrows he asked, "Tell me, who would you believe?"
No one was responding. No one was even blinking. Every adult jaw in the room was nearly on the floor and they were gapping at him. Harry just grinned and went on, "Well, personal experience for me, the Weakest always chose the strongest opponent at the time of the decision, regardless of what side of the Light or Dark War that is going on."
He paused and said, "My experience started in my first year at Hogwarts. Quinton Quirrell stuttered, was scared to death of anything that moved in the shadows, and flinched at the sight of a troll. Severus Snape was a cold, cruel, vindictive bastard that loved taking points off of Gryffindor and myself in particular. So when my two best friends and I discovered someone had cursed my broom during my first Quidditch match, was after the Scorer's Stone, and was helping Voldemort obtain Unicorn blood, I assumed it was Severus Snape. I have since groveled before him in apology. Quirrell nearly killed me that year."
Chuckling slightly he said, "Odd isn't it? The dark sinister jerk was simply agitated that I kept involving myself and almost getting killed, while the stuttering fool wanted me dead. What I find more ironic is that it was over something that I only remember when a Dementor is near. Hannah Abbott, a girl in my year at Hogwarts. She joined Voldemort because I turned her down for a date in front of the entire school during lunch one day. She wanted revenge. I can honestly say that she had no clue what she was getting into."
Shaking his head slightly he said, "She was only caught when she tried to make one of the house elves that actually works for me now, and was stubbornly loyal to me then, poison me during dinner. Dobby had her unconscious in a matter of thirty seconds, and in the Headmaster's office two minutes later where she was sent straight to Azkaban. I went to her trial with Dobby and Albus. I've never seen the Headmaster so disappointed in my entire life. And I had to face his disappointment once after a trip to his office with Professor Snape in my second year for helping my best friend fly a Ford Angelina to school."
Smiling at the memory he suddenly looked directly at the area his godchildren were in and said, "Just a side note to all of my godchildren, that is NOT a good idea. The Whomping Willow hurts when you land in it, and it's not worth the detention for not using your brain and sending an owl instead. Anyway, if you've been paying attention, you probably realized something about my examples."
The entire crowd was interested as he continued, "I've listed one from each house at Hogwarts. Yes, Tom Riddle came from Slytherin. Quinton Quirrell came from Ravenclaw. Hannah Abbott came from Hufflepuff, and Peter Pettigrew came from Gryffindor. There is no such thing as a 'better' house. If you paid attention, you now have very, very good examples that all of the houses have produced evil wizards."
Smiling he said, "On a lighter note, all have produced Wizards that fight on the side of the Light. Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy were the two singular most valuable spies we had in this war. They faced Voldemort almost daily, knowing they could be murdered for the slightest slip up. They both came from Slytherin. Their cunningness, their slyness, and their nobility, which is what Slytherin originally stood for, is part of what won the war for the Light Side. We owe these two men many lives, including mine."
He paused for the polite clapping before continuing, "Anna Sprout and Susan Bones are two amazingly brilliant women. We lost both of them as they defended the school on Susan's graduation day, she was in the same year I was. Anna Sprout took the Killing Curse meant for Albus Dumbledore that day. Susan Bones took one for me. I know that both are here today, in some form, and I'd like to offer thanks for Albus and myself for their un- returnable gift. We owe any time after that curse to them, and their sacrifice. They were true Hufflepuffs, showing loyalty, compassion and honesty to the end."
He paused once again to wait for the clapping before saying, "Emily Hooch, Selena Sinstra, Cho Chang, Terry Boot. Our losses in Ravenclaw for the Light Side were large. All four died fighting Voldemort using the intelligence, respect and quiet observation that Ravenclaw was known for. Emily Hooch died in my arms from a leg severing charm that had been meant for me. I'll never forget the words she said to me when she died. She smiled and said, 'Get your arse on a broom and find that bloody snitch before we lose the war'. I nearly laughed when I realized she was comparing Tom Riddle to a snitch."
"Cho Chang died blowing up an entire secret hiding place for Death Eaters known as the Malfoy Mansion. She went in with enough Muggle explosive to blow up twenty blocks, and took every last Death Eater in the vicinity with her. She left a note in her dormitory explaining that it was revenge for her fiancé, Cedric Diggory. Her sacrifice allowed the seventeen Muggle families they had been ordered to torture that night, to find a place to hide, as their names were known to a spy at another meeting place."
Pausing slightly he continued, "Selena Sinstra died making sure that an entire class of first years learning their first flying lesson made it back inside Hogwarts when two Death Eaters appeared. To this day, that class meets on that day at the Quidditch pitch, and lays flowers where her body was found. The rest of the school, staff and several Aurors now join them in their remembrance."
Smiling he said, "Terry Boot is one of the most intelligent men I've ever known. He single handedly brought in more plans for attack then any of the weathered Aurors had even thought of. Unfortunately, that somehow became known to Voldemort, and Terry and his wife Mandy, who was pregnant at the time with their first child, were murdered shortly before the Final Battle."
Grinning he said, "Ah, Gryffindor. House of Bravery, loyalty, and courage. Or as Professor Severus Snape has always called it, 'Lunacy, Idiocy, fool- hardiness, and sheer dumb luck'. No, wait, that last one I'm confusing with what Headmistress Minerva McGonagall said during my first year at Hogwarts. Gryffindors are known for rushing in without thinking. My best friend Ron and I are classic examples."
Smiling at the laughs he was now getting he said, "I'll be the first person to admit that at the age of eleven, you should never, EVER, run after a fully-grown Mountain Troll and expect to come out alive. Nor should you, as I did, jump on top of it's back, crawl on top of it's head, and stick your wand up it's nose. While this may appear to be bravery, as I look back at it now, I label it as purely suicidal."
The audience was simply roaring with laughter at that point and Harry had to stop and wait a moment before continuing. Shaking his head slightly he said, "However, at the moment I'm not here to talk about myself. Ronald Weasley, at the age of Eleven showed more courage than I have ever felt as he literally allowed himself to be on taken on a giant Chess board transfigured by the woman that is now Hogwart's Headmistress. Luckily he came out of it with only a scrape."
The audience was once again laughing, so Harry paused before saying, "Of course, he's also known for telling Death Eaters and Tom Riddle exactly where they could put their offers to join them. Generally showing them with both his fists and his wand. His work for the Light side will continue to be something that he will be revered for the rest of his life. And as his best friend, he'll drag me into it constantly, so I seriously doubt I'll get away from long speeches anytime soon."
Harry grinned as a few people laughed almost hysterically and the rest of the crowd laughed along and clapped. Harry's face turned somber as he said, "On a much sadder note, losses from Gryffindor were possibly the heaviest and most well known for the Light Side. Albus Dumbledore died dueling Tom Riddle in the Final Battle. I was Albus's second. We know who won that one. Allowing me to watch as he killed my mentor, no, my Grandfather, was the biggest mistake of Tom Riddle's life. It made me pissed off enough to annihilate him without feeling the slightest bit guilty about it."
Harry swallowed as the tears threatened to fall and continued, "Albus's sacrifices for the Light were uncountable. Albus had traits from every house, and was possibly one of the greatest losses the Light Side suffered. If you've ever been to one of Albus's staff meetings, or one of the Order meetings while Albus was running it, you know that he is possibly the most cunning man on the face of the planet. He had people agreeing to do things they never would have done had they had one small ounce of brain working."
Everyone on the Staff, and several Order members were nearly dying from laughter at that kind reminder. Harry smiled and said, "He will likely always know everything in my opinion. And I've never met a smarter man, though perhaps Merlin himself was a close competitor for Albus in knowledge. Not to mention his Loyalty. Once he was a loyal friend of yours, there was nothing that man wouldn't do for you."
Brushing away a tear, Harry cleared his throat slightly and said, "Of course, we all know that Albus was indeed a Gryffindor. Aside from my mother and a very small group of others, Albus Dumbledore is one of the most courageous people that I know. Both faced their deaths knowing that I would come in behind them and end the battle, my mother only to give a short peace time, and Albus to end it once and for all."
Wiping away yet another tear Harry continued, "I don't often talk about my parents, Lily and James Potter. Though I constantly hear about James, and how much I'm like him. When I hear the stories I honestly don't see it. When I hear the stories, especially the ones of my mother, I can't help but think that I'm more like her than I will ever be like my father."
Harry snorted and said, "After all, my mother and I both lived through her sister's torment and came out alright. My parents died facing Tom Riddle himself. My father died protecting his wife and child, while my mother gave her life so that I could live. I've discovered in the last year that my parents had placed so many ancient protection spells on me, along with quite a few that had been forgotten by all outside of the Gryffindor bloodline, that combined with my parents' joint sacrifice, Pure Evil, or those wearing Evil's mark, cannot kill me using any form of a killing curse. Which is why Lucius Malfoy is dead, had he not tried to kill me, he would be in Azkaban today."
The crowd was suddenly loud, talking as though they had just found the counter-curse to the Killing Curses. Harry held up his hands and said, "I myself do not know the spells that were used, and I never will. The library one of the books was left in was inside my ancestral home in Godric's Hollow when it burned to the ground in the after-math. Several others died, and out of respect for their family, I will not tell the stories of how."
Taking a deep breath, Harry said, "Seamus Finnigan, who left behind a fiancé and a daughter he's never met. Dennis Creevey, who left behind two parents, a brother, and a husband. Dennis and his husband had been married a very short three weeks at the time of Dennis's murder. Arthur and Molly Weasley, who left behind seven children, and several grandchildren they will never meet, only a few that they have met."
About to continue he was cut off by three red heads (Ron, Fred and George), who stood and shouted, "Wait!"
Harry lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Yes?"
Ron yelled out, "They left behind nine of us Harry, you know they considered you and Hermione their own!"
Harry smiled, brushing away another tear, just as Ron, Fred and George brushed away a few of their own. He turned back to the crowd and said in a strained voice, "Let me correct myself then. Arthur and Molly Weasley, who left behind n-nine children, and several grandchildren that they will never meet, only a few that they have met, and more to come that they will never meet."
Clearing his throat slightly he continued, "Penelope Weasley, who at the time of her death, left behind her parents, her in-laws, her sister, her brother-in-law, several nieces and nephews, and her two small children who died shortly after her. Paige and Parker Weasley. Who, at the time of their murders, left behind four loving grandparents, several aunts and uncles, cousins and friends who miss them terribly. Ginny Weasley, who at the time of her murder left behind two parents, eight siblings, several nieces and nephews along with her fiancé."
Taking a deep breath he continued, "Parvati Patil, who left behind her Fathers, her sister and brother-in-law, her girlfriend of three years, and her son. Meredith Longbottom, who at the time of her death left behind her son and daughter-in-law, as well as her only grandson, never having met her great-grandson. Frank and Anna Longbottom, who leave behind their only son, whom they never knew, their son-in-law, whom they've never met, and their grandson, whom they've also never met."
Swallowing deeply he continued, "Alicia Spinnett, who at the time of her murder left behind her parents, her brother, her wife, and a son she never met. Angelina Johnson-Spinnett, who left behind her only son, who will never remember either of his mothers. Derrick and Lorraine Bell, who left behind their daughter, son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren whom they never got to meet."
Looking sadly at his godsons, he smiled sadly at them, before he continued in an extremely choked voice, "And the last names on my list to tell you today, are Sally-Anne Perks-Potter, my wife, and Jasmine Potter, my daughter. Both left behind Sally's parents, siblings, and several cousins. I will tell you about their murder though, Peter Pettigrew tortured my barely six week old daughter to death. He then proceeded to slowly cut my wife to pieces, which he sent to me piece by bitty piece. I smiled for the first time since their deaths the day I murdered that bastard."
Harry cleared his throat slightly, brushing more tears away and then said, "At this time I would like to list off several people without whom we could not have won this war. I would like them to stand, and accept their acknowledgement. Severus Snape."
Harry had called his name first to wait until Severus had gotten up before he moved on. He smiled a bit when the man scowled, but got up anyway. Harry continued, "Remus Lupin-Snape, Sirius Black, Minerva McGonagall, Draco Malfoy, Athena Malfoy, Ronald Weasley, Annette Weasley, Fred Weasley, Katie Weasley, George Wood, Oliver Wood, Hermione Taneli, Arto Taneli, Lavender Brown, Neville Longbottom-Thomas, Dean Thomas, Filius Flitwick, Victoria Vector, Sybill Trelawney, Rubeus Hagrid, Poppy Pomfrey, Argus Filch, Padma Jordan, Lee Jordan, Millicent Bullstrode, Blaise Zabini, Alastor Moody, Arabella Figg, Ophelia Figg, Orion Black, Jonathan Vector, Moira Vector, Carl Vector, Mundungus Fletcher, and finally anyone who I've failed to mention either in the Order of the Phoenix, or with the Aurors."
He laughed when no one else stood up and said, "Alright, anyone who's still sitting, if recognized as someone who should be standing by someone who is standing, please, the person standing, hex them until they stand up. Nothing too painful now."
There were several loud 'hey's! and 'that's enough already, I'll stand!'s. Harry smiled and said, "Everyone please give these people the round of applause they deserve for their tireless and selfless sacrifices for the side of the Light against Tom Riddle and his Death Eaters."
There was a tremendous response that nearly deafened those standing, and the children. Harry sent sparks up into the air and said, "I've embarrassed them enough, so let's calm down. Everyone may sit down now. If we could please take a moment of silence, to remember everyone who was lost to us during this incredibly long war against the Dark Side."
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, only allowing himself the briefest thought about Sally, whom in all honesty he would have likely divorced had she lived through the war, but considered one of his closest friends. Then his thoughts turned to his darling Jasmine, who had his bright green eyes, and Sally's blond hair. She would have been a beautiful woman someday, she was certainly a gorgeous baby.
He thought briefly about Percy Weasley, who had murdered his own wife and children in service to Tom Riddle. Once he had murdered them, he had turned himself into the Ministry, sickened with himself. Harry had been present when he was given the Dementor's Kiss, it was one of his worst memories now. Molly and Arthur Weasley had both been sobbing as Arthur gave the orders for the Kiss to be administered.
After the minute's silence Harry cleared his throat and said, "While it is a truly blessed thing to have joyous memories of those that we've lost, it will only hinder us to forget who and how the other side of the battle was. But let us not allow who and how to pass judgment on the younger generations as they come into the Wizarding World and Hogwarts. Lucius Malfoy, for example, was on the Dark side, while his son's family are Light side Wizards."
"The same is to be said of several others, and many more even yet if we give them a chance to change. But while allowing the change, keep your eyes and ears open for those who need help, and offer it if you can. If there is an Orphaned child who needs your help, at the very least offer a piece of your heart and some time. Let us all work together to ensure that we never, ever have another war that was like this. Don't judge anyone by what is, but who they are as individuals."
Harry smiled and said, "Every single year part of Hogwarts turned their back on me. Growing up at the Dursley household, the Staff of Hogwarts turned a blind eye. During my first year, everyone in Gryffindor turned their backs on myself and my best friend Ron for helping out a friend and losing house points in the process."
Pausing slightly he continued, "During my second year everyone with the exception of my two best friends and the Weasley family turned against me for being a Parselmouth. Regardless of the fact that I'd merely instructed a conjured snake to leave someone alone. During my third year, I rarely knew whom I could trust with the exception of my best friends, a friendly half-giant, a werewolf, and an escaped on-the-run prisoner. If I said that to a Muggle, they'd throw me in an insane asylum and destroy the key to the door."
Smiling at the chuckles he got he continued, "During my fourth year everyone besides my best friend Hermione, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Sirius Black refused to believe anything I said or did. Including the Minister of Magic at the time, Cornelius Fudge. During my fifth year, I was left with no one besides Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. I'm not complaining about the choice, but they were all busy in the war and for three weeks the only people in the Wizarding World willing to talk to me."
"During my sixth year, Gryffindor House once again turned it's back on me with the exception of my two best friends. During my seventh year, once again the only people who stood by my side relentlessly were the same four men I turned to during my fifth year. They were the only reason I didn't commit suicide that year, later on in that year is when Sally and I started to date."
Smiling at the confused faces Harry said, "I told you my experiences because the Wizarding World turns it's back on anything suspicious, anyone who might have more power than they do, or anything they don't understand. Please, for the sake of peace within our world, get over yourselves. A year ago I won a very long battle against Tom Marvolo Riddle. I pray the Merlin- Gryffindor-Dumbledore-Potter bloodline is never called upon again to end the Wizarding World's Battles. The Slytherin bloodline is gone. For our children's sake, let us let go of Salazar Slytherin's morals, ideals, and backstabbing. Thank you."
Harry left the stage without waiting for applause, though he got a standing ovation. Harry took off the 'Snorous' charm as he walked back to his seat. Remus and Severus both beamed at him with something akin to pride in their eyes. Severus stopped him and said, "You would have done well in Slytherin."
Harry grinned at the not often spoke praise and said softly, "The sorting hat agrees with you."
Sirius gave him a warm hug, while everyone else looked on and smiled. Without letting go of him Sirius whispered in his ear, "Your parents and Great-Grandfather would be proud of you."
Harry whispered right back, "Are you?"
Sirius smiled and whispered again, "More than words can say."
A/N: This is a Harry/Sirius Slash story, mixed in with a Lily & James come back to life (later in the story). It's timed to after Hogwarts & Voldemort's defeat. I happen to love the opening chapter, however this fiction story will take a much longer time to update as I put so much time into writing it. I apologize but this one had to be written delicately, as it's Harry/Sirius, and there are so many details.
Review please!
(Try to keep negative comments to yourself unless they're constructive criticism please!)
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After the War
Chapter One: The Ceremony
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"Hermione! Over here!"
Hermione looked up and grinned at her best friends, Ron and Harry, who were sitting at a table in Three Broomsticks with Ron's wife Annette, and their two children Chester (2yrs.) and Aubrie (6months). Hermione adjusted her own daughter, Aila, and pulled on her husband's hand (Arto Taneli), before leading them over to the group.
Hermione grinned as Harry jumped up and said, "Let me see my beautiful goddaughter!"
Hermione handed her sleeping two-month-old Aila over to her overly zealous godfather and said, "Feel free to keep her for a week Harry, I could use a break. Arto and I are simply dying for a good night's sleep."
Annette and Ron snickered slightly off to the side, they'd used that trick several times to get Harry to take Chester and Aubrie in the past and it rarely worked on him anymore. Harry grinned and said, "A weekend and no more. I just had Damien and Alexandra for an entire week while Draco and Athena went on a second honeymoon. My house elves are still recovering."
Hermione pursed her lips slightly and Harry continued before she could even start, "Please, you know I pay them, they have full benefits, and are free to come and go as they please. All twenty-five of them are possibly the happiest house-elves I've ever seen, and insist on staying with me."
Hermione frowned briefly before nodding and just as she was about to go on Ron yelled out, "Draco! Athena! We're over here!"
Draco and Athena Malfoy had been married since they were seventeen years old, their children Damien (2) and Alexandra (1), were running over with grins straight towards their 'Uncle Harry'. Harry handed Aila back to Hermione and opened up his arms just in time for Damien and Alexandra to jump in them, both of them calling out "Hawwie!"
Harry grinned and kissed their foreheads before saying hello to them. Draco and Athena just chuckled and Draco teased Harry, "When are you finally going to settle down and have a few of your own Harry?"
Harry snorted, even though he and Draco had been friends since their fifth year at Hogwarts when Draco came to Harry for help getting away from his Father and Voldemort, they still teased one another mercilessly. Harry just smiled and said, "Just as soon as I find someone as gorgeous as you are Draco, that happens to be willing to settle down and start a Weasley-sized family."
Ron managed an indignant, "Hey!"
Of course, the rest of them were all laughing. They were getting together exactly one year after the final battle against Voldemort had been occurred. Harry had been working both as an Auror and the Seeker for Puddlemore United at the time, and had since given up the Auror position to take a much-needed vacation from overworking himself.
Harry had been the one to deliver the final blow, cutting Voldemort's head off with Gryffindor's sword before cutting the entire body into pieces as he said several incantations that wouldn't allow for anyone to bring the Dark Lord back. Everyone that had seen had been horrified by what Harry was doing, until it was explained that it was the only way to ensure that no one could ever bring the monster back.
The small group of friends were sitting, enjoying one another's company for a bit while waiting for the last members of their group to arrive before they started their meals and then went on to the memorial being held at Hogwarts. Which was odd as most of the people in their group were now Professors there. Draco taught Ancient Runes, while Athena taught Transfigurations.
Without having to wait long, the Herbology Professor, Neville Longbottom showed up with the Muggle Studies Professor Dean Thomas, and their son Frank, who was just a little over one now himself. With them were the Potions Master, Severus Snape, and his husband the Defense Professor, Remus Lupin, who looked ready to burst from his pregnancy that was due in a few weeks.
Just behind them was Sirius Black, the now Head of the Auror Department, who was helping the Divinations Professor Lavender Brown with her three year old daughter Amanda. Lavender had been dating Seamus Finnigan in their seventh year, and shortly after Lavender found out she was pregnant, Seamus was killed fighting against a heard of Death Eaters.
After waiting nearly twenty minutes, Fred, Katie, Andrew (3) and Daniel (1) Weasley showed up, followed by the Wood family, Oliver, George, and Julia (2). George, Fred and Harry owned the two stores in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade known as Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. While Fred ran the store in Hogsmeade, George ran the store in Diagon Alley, and Harry helped out between the two whenever he could.
Their group finally all there, they sat down amidst the group of children that was slowly starting to out-number the adults present, and enjoyed a rather loud yet fun filled meal. Oliver, ever set on embarrassing Harry, called out over the noise, "So, Harry-mate, when are you going to give into Justin's advances?"
Harry flushed and answered simply, "When he grows a brain."
Everyone who knew the Hufflepuff immediately burst out laughing while Remus pressed, "Well isn't there anyone who catches your eye Harry? We'd all love to see little Potter's running amuck."
Severus, Draco, Athena, Hermione, Arto, Annette and Ron groaned simultaneously at the thought. Severus immediately voiced, "Please, Harry, wait until I retire. I can't handle a third generation in my lifetime."
Harry smirked and said, "Well in that case I'd best get knocked up or knock someone up quick! Maybe we can fit in a fourth generation before you retire, Severus."
Everyone promptly burst out laughing and Hermione suggested, "Well, Harry why don't I set you up with someone? Sirius how about you too? And Lavender! We could have everyone settled by next year if the rest of us worked together."
Sirius, unconsciously, flicked his eyes from Harry to Hermione but conceded knowing it was pointless to argue with her when she got into match-making mode. Lavender point blank refused, she had enough to worry about with Amanda right now and was not planning on dating anytime soon.
Harry sighed, looked at everyone in the group, his eyes lingering on Sirius for a moment. He wasn't sure when, maybe in his fifth year, he developed a crush on Sirius. Shortly after his seventh year he realized his little 'crush' was nowhere near over, and he was falling for Sirius, Hard.
He'd tried to date, had even married once, but in his opinion none of them even compared to Sirius Black. He gave up two years ago on finding anyone who even compared to him, let alone that Harry could fall in love with. Who knew, maybe Hermione would find someone where he couldn't. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Fine. You can try but that doesn't mean I'll like whoever it is."
Remus nodded, having caught the eye glances of both Sirius and Harry, and quickly decided to change the subject as he asked, "So Ron, Fred, George, how are Charlie and Bill?"
The three boys started cracking up and Katie quickly explained, "Fleur owled us all a week ago. She's pregnant, again. I don't know how she does it, my hands are full with Andrew and Daniel, I'd hex Fred's parts off if he got me pregnant again. But I suppose Gabriel (4), Thomas (3), Timothy (2) and Savannah (1) are all angels, though how that happened with Bill for a father, I'll never know."
Oliver chimed right in, "Her owl mentioned that she had hexed Bill when she found out and that after this one, one of the two of them is drinking a potion so they're infertile. The way I see it, the Weasley blood will still break through that and she'll end up pregnant yet again. Thank Merlin I'm with George, and he's a he. I couldn't handle more than one."
Everyone burst out laughing at that knowing he was dead serious. Oliver barely managed with Julia as it was and there was no point in denying it. Annette picked up where Oliver and Katie had left off with, "Charlie, Theodore, Miriam (3) and Adrianne (9months) are all doing fine. Theodore's ready for a vacation though, and from the sounds of it they're leaving the kids with Theodore's parents next month so they can get away for a while."
Athena nodded and said, "Does them good too. Draco and I can't thank Harry enough for last week."
Harry smiled at Athena and said, "You can just repay me when I want to ditch my own kids for a while once they exist. Don't worry, I'll train them to be extra naughty-er I mean, well behaved, when they visit Auntie Athena and Uncle Draco."
Draco mock-glared at Harry and said, "We apologized for the Chocolate Frog incident!"
Harry burst out laughing while Athena explained to all the questioning glances, "Draco thought it would be funny to let Damien loose at a case of Chocolate Frogs before we left the kids with Harry. I didn't know until it was too late, and then Harry ended up with a hyper and over active toddler and a sobbing upset baby girl who wanted to be held and cuddled while Harry was running after Damien."
Harry nodded but then said, "It wasn't so bad, eventually he wore out and threw up. Of course that was all over my Quidditch robes, so I had to have them cleaned, not that I minded, but it took me a week before I could wear them again consciously knowing they were those robes."
Of course that sent most of the group into hysterics while the other half looked torn between throwing up and laughing along. After another half an hour, the group left while Oliver, Hermione and Harry paid for the meal. Hermione, having talked to Remus, casually asked Harry, "So, what are you looking for anyway? I need to know who to set you up with."
Harry smiled and said, "Alright. Honestly right now I'm thinking an older man, handsome, trustworthy. Someone who wouldn't want to date me for fame, or already has enough of his own not to care about mine. Someone I can talk to, who won't mind that half the people I consider family are raving lunatics that leave their children with me for extended periods of time so they can get away. And someone who's looking to settle down, have kids, dogs, the whole deal. I'm tired of dating, and if you're making me I'd much rather have someone who's serious about this Mione."
Hermione nodded, noting that Sirius fit the description perfectly, and asked one more question, "Muggle, Muggle-born, Pureblood or don't you care?"
Harry frowned and said, "Not Muggle. I don't want to have to lie about my career. And I don't want to cover up the Wizard things, especially the house-elves. I refuse to be rude to them."
Hermione nodded and Oliver, who seemed to notice Harry was simply describing Sirius and said, "Hmm, your description sounds awfully familiar."
Hermione glared at Oliver, who took the hint and suddenly said, "Well, let's get back to the castle then. The ceremony should start soon."
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On the other side of town Sirius, Remus, Severus, Athena, Draco and Annette were talking about the same thing. Remus started the conversation by asking, "Well Sirius, what exactly are you looking for? If Hermione and I are going to set you up with some delectable male, we need to know what you want."
Sirius grinned and said, "Alright. Well, someone younger, with a smile that lights up the room. Someone that's easy to talk to and doesn't hold my past against me. Someone who isn't looking for gaining fame through me, or any of my friends. Someone who doesn't mind dogs, who wants to settle down, have kids, that kind of thing. Someone looking for a commitment, and at the same time someone who can put up with pranks and what not."
Remus nearly laughed out loud, Sirius had almost perfectly described Harry. Athena, Draco and Annette noticed as well and sniggered trying to cover it up with their hands and pretending to sneeze. Severus, ever the completely subtle idiot asked, "How much younger?"
Sirius frowned and said, "Age doesn't matter, long as it's legal I suppose. It'd be best if they were able to relate to me, and we got along alright. But whatever works."
Severus, not paying attention to the glares being sent his way, asked, "What about someone Harry's age?"
Sirius blinked and said, "As long as he didn't have a problem with that I suppose not. Is there something you're trying to get at Severus?"
Before anyone could stop him Severus asked, "What about Harry?"
Death glares were now being shot at him and Draco hit Severus upside the head and hissed out, "You idiot! Subtle! Does the word mean anything to you?"
Sirius looked at them all and asked, "Are you suggesting I date my godson?"
Remus sighed, and said, "Sirius, don't tell me you haven't noticed the looks the two of you throw at one another when the other isn't looking. And quite frankly you never had him long enough to BE his godfather or for him to be your godson. Harry bought that house in Godric's Hollow straight out of school, leaving the Dursley's behind. It's not your fault and it's not his, but you've never had legal custody of him you know. And with the eyes you make at one another, no one would doubt it wasn't mutual consent."
Annette, trying to make the best of the situation, chimed in with, "I've seen the looks you send at him Sirius, and the ones Harry sends at you. You love one another in completely non-platonic ways."
Sirius shook his head and said, "I'm not going to pressure him into anything, and neither are any of you."
Remus nodded and said, "Of course not Padfoot. Hermione and I are just going to give you both a little push in the right direction is all."
The conversation ended there as Harry, Hermione and Oliver arrived with one severely blushing Harry. Draco smiled at Harry and asked, "And what is our darling Virgin blushing about?"
Harry's blush deepened and he muttered, "No need to rub it in."
Sighing dramatically Oliver said, "Oh Hermione was just convincing Harry to describe what he was looking for in a man."
Draco nodded and said, "Really, dare I ask what the blushing handsome friend of mine responded with?"
Oliver looked pointedly at Sirius before answering Draco with, "Perfect description of someone I know quite well."
Sirius blushed as Draco smirked and drawled, "Really? Isn't that interesting."
Harry, dumbfounded looked between the two and asked, "Am I missing something?"
The rest of the group burst out laughing, but before anything else could be said, the ceremony was announced to be starting in five minutes. Harry sat down in-between Sirius and Draco during the Ceremony, with Damien on his lap and Alexandra trying to get his attention from Draco's lap. Athena sat next to Draco, thoroughly amused by her children's antics to get Uncle Harry's attention.
Draco, frustrated, looked at his children and asked, "Would you rather go live with Uncle Harry?"
Both children looked at him with huge smiles on their faces as they nodded, causing everyone who heard to laugh nearly hysterically. Harry looked apologetically at Draco and Athena before saying, "Sorry, I guess I'm just more fun then you two are."
Damien, never to be out done, immediately told Harry and everyone else who was listening, "Love you Unce Hawwy!"
Harry just grinned and said, "Love you too Damien."
The ceremony to remember those lost started when Minerva McGonagall stood, and started her speech. Tears were in her eyes as she started, "Exactly one year ago, was the day of the Final Battle against Voldemort. The Light Side won this war, through the hard work of many, many people. However, I think it is most important that the person whom we owe so much for ensuring that Voldemort can never return, is the one that reads off the list of names, and gives his own speech. Harry Potter, please come forward."
Harry, blushing crimson, put Damien in Sirius's lap and slowly walked to the stage where Minerva was, trying to ignore both the clapping and the attention he was getting at this moment. Harry smiled and kissed the Headmistress' cheek before casting the 'Snorous' charm on himself to speak to the crowd. Smiling he said, "I would be honored to read the list of names to which we owe so much. But on a day like today, I also feel as though I should talk about those that slipped into the Dark, as a reminder to us all, that this battle may have been won, but the War against the Dark is not over for the Light side."
Taking a breath, ignoring some of the slack-jawed faces of the audience and impressed stares of those in the Order of the Phoenix. Clearing his throat he continued, "The first name that comes to mind is Tom Riddle. Yes, Lord Voldemort himself. I much prefer to think of him as Tom Riddle, because he was not worthy of the title 'Lord'. Tom Riddle was a little boy abandoned by the Magical Community to an abusive, neglectful Orphanage. It's truly no wonder to me why Tom might have a different view on Muggles. I myself fully understand how he must have felt at the age of eleven to understand that someone out there knew what he was going through, and let it happen."
Everyone was starting at him in shock now, he continued though, "I can understand because you all did the same to me. I grew up in the cupboard under the stairs at my so-called relatives house. It's far too late for you to amend for it, but I had the common sense to know that they were not correctly representing the Muggle community, nor do I have a desire to do anything with my life that Tom Riddle did with his. Someone in this community knew about my circumstances though, because my first letter from Hogwarts was addressed, 'The Cupboard Under the Stairs'. That was my first clue that I was simply a tool."
"Had someone adopted Tom Riddle and raised him in a loving, caring home, we likely wouldn't have been at war with him at all. Had someone bothered to see if I was okay, I wouldn't feel like a tool. I implore you all, don't let this happen to another child. Don't let them fit the stereotypes. Better yet, don't stereotype them at all, simply love them. I often thought that Tom Riddle resembled an over-grown toddler in need of a good spanking and a parent's love."
Smiling slightly he said, "Ironic isn't it? He lashed out like a toddler after all. No, he didn't. He simply lashed out at anyone he could blame, and he could only blame those Muggles that ran the Orphanage, and the Father that abandoned him. After all, my godsons and goddaughters are more well behaved than he ever was I'm sure. For those of you who don't know about Tom Riddle's past, let me tell you."
Looking down for a moment he looked back up and said, "Picture a young man, growing up in Slytherin. Becoming a Prefect and then a Head Boy. The only person in the School that questioned him was Albus Dumbledore. I hate to say it, but Andrew Dippett was a bloody fool. It was not Rubeus Hagrid that let that Basilisk roam the school, only a Parseltongue can control one of those. Tom Riddle got away with murder that year in school by framing Rubeus Hagrid, and everyone but Albus Dumbledore looked the other way."
Smiling he said, "I'm not, by any means suggesting that Albus knew more than we did. I am merely suggesting that Albus looked beyond the label of 'Half-Giant', 'Werewolf' and 'Parseltongue'. These things are not the titles of 'Dark Creatures'. All three have fought for the side of the Light in this past war, and it was a Parseltongue who murdered Tom Riddle. He is one of two people I killed in this war. The second person being Peter Pettigrew."
Chuckling slightly he said, "Oh yes, I still remember Cornelius Fudge's face when I brought in a freshly dead by cutting of the throat Pettigrew. I think he wanted to kill me in that moment. It meant that he would have to publicly announce that HE was wrong about something YET again. Let us never be lead by our Minister again. Had enough people spoken out against Cornelius, perhaps innocents would not have gone to Azkaban while the ungodly guilty roamed free. Had I taken the Minister position that you all offered me, every inmate inside Azkaban would have been offered a vial of Veritaserum, and the innocent let go."
Grinning slightly he said, "However Arthur Weasley did you all one better didn't he? He threw the guilty in there with Dementor's kisses or beheadings, anti-animagus charms on all the cells, anti-illusion and anti- escape charms on the cells. Then he questioned them one-by one before throwing the guilty back in and freeing the innocent. It's utterly pathetic that anyone innocent was in there at all."
"Back to Peter Pettigrew though. Well, to understand that story you have to understand my Father's friends. There was my Father, one of the targets on Voldie's hit list. His best friend Sirius Black, a prankster who nearly got another student killed. His very close friend Remus Lupin, whom we all know as a werewolf, and little Peter who could barely perform the simplest magic. Practically a Squib."
Raising his eyebrows he asked, "Tell me, who would you believe?"
No one was responding. No one was even blinking. Every adult jaw in the room was nearly on the floor and they were gapping at him. Harry just grinned and went on, "Well, personal experience for me, the Weakest always chose the strongest opponent at the time of the decision, regardless of what side of the Light or Dark War that is going on."
He paused and said, "My experience started in my first year at Hogwarts. Quinton Quirrell stuttered, was scared to death of anything that moved in the shadows, and flinched at the sight of a troll. Severus Snape was a cold, cruel, vindictive bastard that loved taking points off of Gryffindor and myself in particular. So when my two best friends and I discovered someone had cursed my broom during my first Quidditch match, was after the Scorer's Stone, and was helping Voldemort obtain Unicorn blood, I assumed it was Severus Snape. I have since groveled before him in apology. Quirrell nearly killed me that year."
Chuckling slightly he said, "Odd isn't it? The dark sinister jerk was simply agitated that I kept involving myself and almost getting killed, while the stuttering fool wanted me dead. What I find more ironic is that it was over something that I only remember when a Dementor is near. Hannah Abbott, a girl in my year at Hogwarts. She joined Voldemort because I turned her down for a date in front of the entire school during lunch one day. She wanted revenge. I can honestly say that she had no clue what she was getting into."
Shaking his head slightly he said, "She was only caught when she tried to make one of the house elves that actually works for me now, and was stubbornly loyal to me then, poison me during dinner. Dobby had her unconscious in a matter of thirty seconds, and in the Headmaster's office two minutes later where she was sent straight to Azkaban. I went to her trial with Dobby and Albus. I've never seen the Headmaster so disappointed in my entire life. And I had to face his disappointment once after a trip to his office with Professor Snape in my second year for helping my best friend fly a Ford Angelina to school."
Smiling at the memory he suddenly looked directly at the area his godchildren were in and said, "Just a side note to all of my godchildren, that is NOT a good idea. The Whomping Willow hurts when you land in it, and it's not worth the detention for not using your brain and sending an owl instead. Anyway, if you've been paying attention, you probably realized something about my examples."
The entire crowd was interested as he continued, "I've listed one from each house at Hogwarts. Yes, Tom Riddle came from Slytherin. Quinton Quirrell came from Ravenclaw. Hannah Abbott came from Hufflepuff, and Peter Pettigrew came from Gryffindor. There is no such thing as a 'better' house. If you paid attention, you now have very, very good examples that all of the houses have produced evil wizards."
Smiling he said, "On a lighter note, all have produced Wizards that fight on the side of the Light. Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy were the two singular most valuable spies we had in this war. They faced Voldemort almost daily, knowing they could be murdered for the slightest slip up. They both came from Slytherin. Their cunningness, their slyness, and their nobility, which is what Slytherin originally stood for, is part of what won the war for the Light Side. We owe these two men many lives, including mine."
He paused for the polite clapping before continuing, "Anna Sprout and Susan Bones are two amazingly brilliant women. We lost both of them as they defended the school on Susan's graduation day, she was in the same year I was. Anna Sprout took the Killing Curse meant for Albus Dumbledore that day. Susan Bones took one for me. I know that both are here today, in some form, and I'd like to offer thanks for Albus and myself for their un- returnable gift. We owe any time after that curse to them, and their sacrifice. They were true Hufflepuffs, showing loyalty, compassion and honesty to the end."
He paused once again to wait for the clapping before saying, "Emily Hooch, Selena Sinstra, Cho Chang, Terry Boot. Our losses in Ravenclaw for the Light Side were large. All four died fighting Voldemort using the intelligence, respect and quiet observation that Ravenclaw was known for. Emily Hooch died in my arms from a leg severing charm that had been meant for me. I'll never forget the words she said to me when she died. She smiled and said, 'Get your arse on a broom and find that bloody snitch before we lose the war'. I nearly laughed when I realized she was comparing Tom Riddle to a snitch."
"Cho Chang died blowing up an entire secret hiding place for Death Eaters known as the Malfoy Mansion. She went in with enough Muggle explosive to blow up twenty blocks, and took every last Death Eater in the vicinity with her. She left a note in her dormitory explaining that it was revenge for her fiancé, Cedric Diggory. Her sacrifice allowed the seventeen Muggle families they had been ordered to torture that night, to find a place to hide, as their names were known to a spy at another meeting place."
Pausing slightly he continued, "Selena Sinstra died making sure that an entire class of first years learning their first flying lesson made it back inside Hogwarts when two Death Eaters appeared. To this day, that class meets on that day at the Quidditch pitch, and lays flowers where her body was found. The rest of the school, staff and several Aurors now join them in their remembrance."
Smiling he said, "Terry Boot is one of the most intelligent men I've ever known. He single handedly brought in more plans for attack then any of the weathered Aurors had even thought of. Unfortunately, that somehow became known to Voldemort, and Terry and his wife Mandy, who was pregnant at the time with their first child, were murdered shortly before the Final Battle."
Grinning he said, "Ah, Gryffindor. House of Bravery, loyalty, and courage. Or as Professor Severus Snape has always called it, 'Lunacy, Idiocy, fool- hardiness, and sheer dumb luck'. No, wait, that last one I'm confusing with what Headmistress Minerva McGonagall said during my first year at Hogwarts. Gryffindors are known for rushing in without thinking. My best friend Ron and I are classic examples."
Smiling at the laughs he was now getting he said, "I'll be the first person to admit that at the age of eleven, you should never, EVER, run after a fully-grown Mountain Troll and expect to come out alive. Nor should you, as I did, jump on top of it's back, crawl on top of it's head, and stick your wand up it's nose. While this may appear to be bravery, as I look back at it now, I label it as purely suicidal."
The audience was simply roaring with laughter at that point and Harry had to stop and wait a moment before continuing. Shaking his head slightly he said, "However, at the moment I'm not here to talk about myself. Ronald Weasley, at the age of Eleven showed more courage than I have ever felt as he literally allowed himself to be on taken on a giant Chess board transfigured by the woman that is now Hogwart's Headmistress. Luckily he came out of it with only a scrape."
The audience was once again laughing, so Harry paused before saying, "Of course, he's also known for telling Death Eaters and Tom Riddle exactly where they could put their offers to join them. Generally showing them with both his fists and his wand. His work for the Light side will continue to be something that he will be revered for the rest of his life. And as his best friend, he'll drag me into it constantly, so I seriously doubt I'll get away from long speeches anytime soon."
Harry grinned as a few people laughed almost hysterically and the rest of the crowd laughed along and clapped. Harry's face turned somber as he said, "On a much sadder note, losses from Gryffindor were possibly the heaviest and most well known for the Light Side. Albus Dumbledore died dueling Tom Riddle in the Final Battle. I was Albus's second. We know who won that one. Allowing me to watch as he killed my mentor, no, my Grandfather, was the biggest mistake of Tom Riddle's life. It made me pissed off enough to annihilate him without feeling the slightest bit guilty about it."
Harry swallowed as the tears threatened to fall and continued, "Albus's sacrifices for the Light were uncountable. Albus had traits from every house, and was possibly one of the greatest losses the Light Side suffered. If you've ever been to one of Albus's staff meetings, or one of the Order meetings while Albus was running it, you know that he is possibly the most cunning man on the face of the planet. He had people agreeing to do things they never would have done had they had one small ounce of brain working."
Everyone on the Staff, and several Order members were nearly dying from laughter at that kind reminder. Harry smiled and said, "He will likely always know everything in my opinion. And I've never met a smarter man, though perhaps Merlin himself was a close competitor for Albus in knowledge. Not to mention his Loyalty. Once he was a loyal friend of yours, there was nothing that man wouldn't do for you."
Brushing away a tear, Harry cleared his throat slightly and said, "Of course, we all know that Albus was indeed a Gryffindor. Aside from my mother and a very small group of others, Albus Dumbledore is one of the most courageous people that I know. Both faced their deaths knowing that I would come in behind them and end the battle, my mother only to give a short peace time, and Albus to end it once and for all."
Wiping away yet another tear Harry continued, "I don't often talk about my parents, Lily and James Potter. Though I constantly hear about James, and how much I'm like him. When I hear the stories I honestly don't see it. When I hear the stories, especially the ones of my mother, I can't help but think that I'm more like her than I will ever be like my father."
Harry snorted and said, "After all, my mother and I both lived through her sister's torment and came out alright. My parents died facing Tom Riddle himself. My father died protecting his wife and child, while my mother gave her life so that I could live. I've discovered in the last year that my parents had placed so many ancient protection spells on me, along with quite a few that had been forgotten by all outside of the Gryffindor bloodline, that combined with my parents' joint sacrifice, Pure Evil, or those wearing Evil's mark, cannot kill me using any form of a killing curse. Which is why Lucius Malfoy is dead, had he not tried to kill me, he would be in Azkaban today."
The crowd was suddenly loud, talking as though they had just found the counter-curse to the Killing Curses. Harry held up his hands and said, "I myself do not know the spells that were used, and I never will. The library one of the books was left in was inside my ancestral home in Godric's Hollow when it burned to the ground in the after-math. Several others died, and out of respect for their family, I will not tell the stories of how."
Taking a deep breath, Harry said, "Seamus Finnigan, who left behind a fiancé and a daughter he's never met. Dennis Creevey, who left behind two parents, a brother, and a husband. Dennis and his husband had been married a very short three weeks at the time of Dennis's murder. Arthur and Molly Weasley, who left behind seven children, and several grandchildren they will never meet, only a few that they have met."
About to continue he was cut off by three red heads (Ron, Fred and George), who stood and shouted, "Wait!"
Harry lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Yes?"
Ron yelled out, "They left behind nine of us Harry, you know they considered you and Hermione their own!"
Harry smiled, brushing away another tear, just as Ron, Fred and George brushed away a few of their own. He turned back to the crowd and said in a strained voice, "Let me correct myself then. Arthur and Molly Weasley, who left behind n-nine children, and several grandchildren that they will never meet, only a few that they have met, and more to come that they will never meet."
Clearing his throat slightly he continued, "Penelope Weasley, who at the time of her death, left behind her parents, her in-laws, her sister, her brother-in-law, several nieces and nephews, and her two small children who died shortly after her. Paige and Parker Weasley. Who, at the time of their murders, left behind four loving grandparents, several aunts and uncles, cousins and friends who miss them terribly. Ginny Weasley, who at the time of her murder left behind two parents, eight siblings, several nieces and nephews along with her fiancé."
Taking a deep breath he continued, "Parvati Patil, who left behind her Fathers, her sister and brother-in-law, her girlfriend of three years, and her son. Meredith Longbottom, who at the time of her death left behind her son and daughter-in-law, as well as her only grandson, never having met her great-grandson. Frank and Anna Longbottom, who leave behind their only son, whom they never knew, their son-in-law, whom they've never met, and their grandson, whom they've also never met."
Swallowing deeply he continued, "Alicia Spinnett, who at the time of her murder left behind her parents, her brother, her wife, and a son she never met. Angelina Johnson-Spinnett, who left behind her only son, who will never remember either of his mothers. Derrick and Lorraine Bell, who left behind their daughter, son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren whom they never got to meet."
Looking sadly at his godsons, he smiled sadly at them, before he continued in an extremely choked voice, "And the last names on my list to tell you today, are Sally-Anne Perks-Potter, my wife, and Jasmine Potter, my daughter. Both left behind Sally's parents, siblings, and several cousins. I will tell you about their murder though, Peter Pettigrew tortured my barely six week old daughter to death. He then proceeded to slowly cut my wife to pieces, which he sent to me piece by bitty piece. I smiled for the first time since their deaths the day I murdered that bastard."
Harry cleared his throat slightly, brushing more tears away and then said, "At this time I would like to list off several people without whom we could not have won this war. I would like them to stand, and accept their acknowledgement. Severus Snape."
Harry had called his name first to wait until Severus had gotten up before he moved on. He smiled a bit when the man scowled, but got up anyway. Harry continued, "Remus Lupin-Snape, Sirius Black, Minerva McGonagall, Draco Malfoy, Athena Malfoy, Ronald Weasley, Annette Weasley, Fred Weasley, Katie Weasley, George Wood, Oliver Wood, Hermione Taneli, Arto Taneli, Lavender Brown, Neville Longbottom-Thomas, Dean Thomas, Filius Flitwick, Victoria Vector, Sybill Trelawney, Rubeus Hagrid, Poppy Pomfrey, Argus Filch, Padma Jordan, Lee Jordan, Millicent Bullstrode, Blaise Zabini, Alastor Moody, Arabella Figg, Ophelia Figg, Orion Black, Jonathan Vector, Moira Vector, Carl Vector, Mundungus Fletcher, and finally anyone who I've failed to mention either in the Order of the Phoenix, or with the Aurors."
He laughed when no one else stood up and said, "Alright, anyone who's still sitting, if recognized as someone who should be standing by someone who is standing, please, the person standing, hex them until they stand up. Nothing too painful now."
There were several loud 'hey's! and 'that's enough already, I'll stand!'s. Harry smiled and said, "Everyone please give these people the round of applause they deserve for their tireless and selfless sacrifices for the side of the Light against Tom Riddle and his Death Eaters."
There was a tremendous response that nearly deafened those standing, and the children. Harry sent sparks up into the air and said, "I've embarrassed them enough, so let's calm down. Everyone may sit down now. If we could please take a moment of silence, to remember everyone who was lost to us during this incredibly long war against the Dark Side."
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, only allowing himself the briefest thought about Sally, whom in all honesty he would have likely divorced had she lived through the war, but considered one of his closest friends. Then his thoughts turned to his darling Jasmine, who had his bright green eyes, and Sally's blond hair. She would have been a beautiful woman someday, she was certainly a gorgeous baby.
He thought briefly about Percy Weasley, who had murdered his own wife and children in service to Tom Riddle. Once he had murdered them, he had turned himself into the Ministry, sickened with himself. Harry had been present when he was given the Dementor's Kiss, it was one of his worst memories now. Molly and Arthur Weasley had both been sobbing as Arthur gave the orders for the Kiss to be administered.
After the minute's silence Harry cleared his throat and said, "While it is a truly blessed thing to have joyous memories of those that we've lost, it will only hinder us to forget who and how the other side of the battle was. But let us not allow who and how to pass judgment on the younger generations as they come into the Wizarding World and Hogwarts. Lucius Malfoy, for example, was on the Dark side, while his son's family are Light side Wizards."
"The same is to be said of several others, and many more even yet if we give them a chance to change. But while allowing the change, keep your eyes and ears open for those who need help, and offer it if you can. If there is an Orphaned child who needs your help, at the very least offer a piece of your heart and some time. Let us all work together to ensure that we never, ever have another war that was like this. Don't judge anyone by what is, but who they are as individuals."
Harry smiled and said, "Every single year part of Hogwarts turned their back on me. Growing up at the Dursley household, the Staff of Hogwarts turned a blind eye. During my first year, everyone in Gryffindor turned their backs on myself and my best friend Ron for helping out a friend and losing house points in the process."
Pausing slightly he continued, "During my second year everyone with the exception of my two best friends and the Weasley family turned against me for being a Parselmouth. Regardless of the fact that I'd merely instructed a conjured snake to leave someone alone. During my third year, I rarely knew whom I could trust with the exception of my best friends, a friendly half-giant, a werewolf, and an escaped on-the-run prisoner. If I said that to a Muggle, they'd throw me in an insane asylum and destroy the key to the door."
Smiling at the chuckles he got he continued, "During my fourth year everyone besides my best friend Hermione, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Sirius Black refused to believe anything I said or did. Including the Minister of Magic at the time, Cornelius Fudge. During my fifth year, I was left with no one besides Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. I'm not complaining about the choice, but they were all busy in the war and for three weeks the only people in the Wizarding World willing to talk to me."
"During my sixth year, Gryffindor House once again turned it's back on me with the exception of my two best friends. During my seventh year, once again the only people who stood by my side relentlessly were the same four men I turned to during my fifth year. They were the only reason I didn't commit suicide that year, later on in that year is when Sally and I started to date."
Smiling at the confused faces Harry said, "I told you my experiences because the Wizarding World turns it's back on anything suspicious, anyone who might have more power than they do, or anything they don't understand. Please, for the sake of peace within our world, get over yourselves. A year ago I won a very long battle against Tom Marvolo Riddle. I pray the Merlin- Gryffindor-Dumbledore-Potter bloodline is never called upon again to end the Wizarding World's Battles. The Slytherin bloodline is gone. For our children's sake, let us let go of Salazar Slytherin's morals, ideals, and backstabbing. Thank you."
Harry left the stage without waiting for applause, though he got a standing ovation. Harry took off the 'Snorous' charm as he walked back to his seat. Remus and Severus both beamed at him with something akin to pride in their eyes. Severus stopped him and said, "You would have done well in Slytherin."
Harry grinned at the not often spoke praise and said softly, "The sorting hat agrees with you."
Sirius gave him a warm hug, while everyone else looked on and smiled. Without letting go of him Sirius whispered in his ear, "Your parents and Great-Grandfather would be proud of you."
Harry whispered right back, "Are you?"
Sirius smiled and whispered again, "More than words can say."