A week later and Danny had returned to Hogwarts. Sam was with him. She had refused to let him go alone. Sam had always been into mythology and magic. Tucker refused to leave his technology behind. The idea of Hogwarts didn't appeal nearly as much to Tucker as it did to Sam. Not after going to Dora's kingdom and his technology shutting down on him. Jazz had to get back to college and Danny didn't want to bring too many people.
Over the course of the week he had fully healed using ghost techniques from the Far Frozen. His injured ghostly subjects had been fully cured also. He had personally thanked every one of the ghosts that fought for him in the war at Hogwarts. But he had also taken the week to spend time with Sam, Tucker, Jazz and his parents. He even took a day to spend some time with Vlad. He had told the order members in Amity Park the news of the war and Voldemort's confirmed death. The Dursleys were going to move back to England. Dudley had seemed to be the only person glad to hear that Harry was safe and well. Although he did catch a small sigh of relief and the slightest smirk from Petunia and Vernon. They didn't particularly care for Harry but it was clear that they didn't want the teen dead. Danny had also released the snatchers he arrested at Malfoy Mansion into the Ministry of Magic's care.
Sam gasped at the castle. It had yet to be fully rebuilt but it was much better. The rubble and dust had been cleared. There were even a few students milling around outside, laughing and talking happily. A few even waved at Danny, Phantom was still a recognised and respected ghost at the school. Sam blinked in surprise as Danny nodded in greeting to a group of Ravenclaws.
"Do… do you know them or something?" Sam muttered with confusion.
"Ghosts are considered differently at Hogwarts. Before me, they had never seen a ghost with colour. Ghosts here are fully accepted," Danny explained. Sam blinked and smiled.
"You like it here don't you?" Sam guessed. Danny smirked and shrugged.
"It's nice to be accepted. No crazy fans or ghost hunters. I can just… do whatever here," Danny admitted.
"Want to give me the grand tour?" Sam asked.
"I want to chat with Hagrid before anything. I need to explain myself. He saw me let Harry apparently sacrifice himself," Danny replied. He motioned for Sam to follow him and walked towards Hagrid's hut. A few minutes later, Danny knocked on the heavy wooden door. A loud bark came from inside as loud footsteps rushed to the door. Sam jumped and grabbed Danny's shoulder before chuckling nervously to herself. Danny flashed her an amused smirk. The large door swung open and Hagrid's grin fell from his bearded, ruddy face.
"Oh, it's you," Hagrid grumbled. Danny sighed.
"Hagrid, I came to explain. Can we come inside?" Danny interjected before the games keeper could slam the door.
"We?" Hagrid asked in surprise. Danny stepped to the side so that Hagrid could see Sam behind him. Hagrid blinked before grunting.
The half-giant stepped aside, grabbing Fang before the dog could greet Sam and Danny. Danny stepped inside, Sam following close behind. Sam sat tentatively down on the edge of a kitchen chair around a chunky kitchen table, cluttered with cups, a teapot and a plate of rock cakes. Danny decided to stay standing, he could sense that he wasn't welcome.
"Start explaining then Danny. I saw you in that clearing. You did absolutely nothing!" Hagrid growled. Danny sighed and nodded.
"I know how it looked but I wasn't doing nothing Hagrid. I was there under Dumbledore's orders. He gave me and Severus a job to do before he died. Months before he died actually. I don't know how much you know from Harry or how much Dumbledore would have wanted me to say. But I had an invisible duplicate in that clearing ready to grab Harry the second things went wrong. And… I checked his pulse the moment Voldemort and Harry were blasted off their feet. I knew that Harry was alive and Dumbledore had assured me that what Harry would do, was necessary but not lethal," Danny informed the large man. Hagrid's glare faltered.
"You did," Hagrid gasped. Danny nodded.
"I did. I care about Harry, Hagrid. I did everything in my power to make sure that Harry wasn't killed," Danny confirmed.
Hagrid gulped and nodded.
"Sorry. For being so hostile earlier I mean. I just. It looked like you had fully turned. I mean so long among that lot. And so long without an update. I wasn't the only one a bit worried," Hagrid mumbled. Danny smiled.
"It's fine Hagrid. I know it looked bad and I've been blamed for a lot of stuff in the past. Thanks for the apology," Danny replied with a smile. Hagrid smiled nervously.
Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door. Fang barked loudly again and scampered to the door. Hagrid jumped to his feet and answered the door.
"Harry! Ron, Hermione!" Hagrid boomed happily. The trio smiled at the half-giant and stepped inside.
"Danny!?" Hermione exclaimed, noticing the halfa first.
"Hey guys. Meet Sam," Danny greeted them with a wave.
"Wow you look a lot better than last time," Ron commented.
"It pays to be good friends with ghosts that have a well-stocked and functional medical facility," Danny remarked. Harry held out a hand to Sam.
"Nice to meet you. Harry Potter," Harry introduced himself to her. Sam smirked and took his hand, giving it a firm shake.
"Sam Manson," Sam returned.
"Ron Weasley," Ron added.
"Hermione Granger," Hermione introduced herself.
"I heard about your brother. I'm sorry," Sam muttered sadly. Ron blinked and turned to Danny.
"Sorry if I was wrong to tell my family and friends about that. I wanted to be completely honest with them about everything I'd done with the order these last few years," Danny apologised, rubbing the back of his neck. Ron shook his head.
"No, no that's fine," Ron retorted.
"How's your family holding up?" Danny asked worriedly.
"George's a mess. Mum's not much better. Percy's been great. He's been keeping everyone together right now. But… we all miss him," Ron admitted.
"Percy?" Danny repeated in confusion.
"Oh that's right. You were out of it after the fight. Percy came back during the fight. Quit his job and everything," Ron informed the halfa. Danny smiled.
"Told you he'd snap out of it sooner or later," Danny reminded the trio.
"Where are those two ghosts you were with before?" Harry wondered.
"Back at home in Amity Park. I hate to admit it but Vlad was right before about teleporting. But to be honest, I just wanted to get home after everything that happened. By the way, I told your aunt, uncle and Dudley that you were fine. They were in hiding in Amity Park. And Hermione, if you'd like, I heard how you made your parents forget about you. I could get Wulf to track them down for you," Danny offered. Harry shrugged, he was done with the Dursleys. He was glad that they were alive and safe but he had no desire to see them again any time soon. Hermione blinked before shaking her head.
"I can't reverse the memory charm I cast on them. They'll never remember me. I think it's best I don't chase them. They'll be happy. I know they will," Hermione decided sadly, tears glistening in her eyes. Danny gave her an understanding nod.
"The offer stands," Danny decided.
"What's your plan? I mean now that the order isn't needed anymore," Harry inquired. Danny shrugged.
"I haven't decided. I'll need to take a more hands on role in the Ghost Zone as king. But I'd like to go to college next year too. What about yourselves?" Danny answered.
"I'm going to finish school," Hermione proudly announced.
"Pfft! School? Me and Harry are gonna apply to be aurors," Ron declared, putting an arm around Harry's shoulders as the wizard smirked in agreement.
"That's right. Kingsley's minister now and he's lowered the standards to get numbers back up. We still need to do the three year training period but we don't need our N.E.W.T.s ," Harry added.
"Glad to hear it," Danny commented.
Hagrid served everyone tea and rock buns and they chatted amicably. Half an hour later, they left Hagrid's hut. Harry, Ron and Hermione were meeting up with Ginny, Neville and Luna and a few other friends. Danny turned to Sam and gave her the grand tour, checking into the kitchen for something to eat, visiting Kreacher for the first time in nearly a year. Then they met Peeves who was overjoyed to see Danny after the week.
The tour ended at the top of the astronomy tower.
"I came here a few times to stargaze. The telescopes here are amazing. But it's been a while now," Danny informed Sam.
"This place is beautiful," Sam breathed as she scanned the grounds below.
"Yeah it is. Usually it's even nicer. They're still in the middle of repairs from the war," Danny remarked.
"So, what kind of stuff did you learn here? Esperanto. Occulumency. What else?" Sam inquired curiously. Danny shrugged.
"I learnt to teleport here. I learned about my right to the Ghost King throne. I learnt about the magical world. But I also learnt about… about how I felt about you," Danny listed, blushing light green at the end. Sam spun around to face him.
"What are you talking about?" Sam demanded, stunned.
"Remember when Nocturne attacked Amity Park?" Danny began.
"Yeah. You woke me up by making Dash into Phantom. That still haunts me," Sam confirmed with a shudder. Danny nodded.
"Well, I never told you before… but I kind of… had the same exact dream," Danny confessed nervously. Sam blinked in surprised silence.
"And while I was here. There was a love potion. I have no idea what it was called. But it smelt differently to everyone who smelt it. According to what attracted them," Danny resumed, turning fully towards Sam having previously been looking at her from the corner of his eye.
Sam stared at him.
"I could smell night air," Danny recalled softly, taking a step closer to her.
"Cookies," he added, now close enough to touch her now. He took her hand.
"And your perfume. I recognised it from when we danced together at that school dance," Danny concluded, leaning in close to her, breathing in that same perfume.
"I've had a crush on you for years," Sam whispered. Danny smiled.
"I'm glad you said that," Danny muttered with a smirk. Sam breathed a soft laugh before leaning forward and they shared a brief, tender kiss.
"So worth the wait," Danny chuckled quietly as they broke apart. Sam laughed and they glanced at the grounds below them. The sun was setting, burning the sky orange.
"Anywhere else you want to show me?" Sam wondered.
"There might be a few places and people," Danny answered as he wrapped his arms around Sam and teleported, he could handle the errands he had yet to finish later. The world was at peace.
Yeah, a bit corny at the end but I think it fits. Everyone's healing, repairing and starting to move on.
Anyway, that's it. Wow, such a long story! Let me know what you thought of the story.
I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it. I'd also like to take the time to thank everyone that took the time to read the entire story, this was definitely a long one.
I'd also like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to review this story. It truly does make my day to get a review and hear your opinions and thoughts.
There will be a follow-on one-shot to celebrate getting over 200 reviews but that won't be out for a while yet. Unfortunately I'm bogged down with college exams right now, in fact my first is today. So I have yet to write the one-shot but as soon as it's written it'll be up. Keep an eye out for it.
Until the next fanfic.