Chapter 30:

Aftermath

Several days later, after the N.E.W.T. examination grades were given out, it was time for the end of term feast. Harry sat down with his friends at the Gryffindor table. Luna returned to the Ravenclaw table for the feast, but constantly winked at Neville. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione smiled at him continuously, while Ron looked on in confusion.

Dumbledore stood up, "The time has come to end another year. It is time to award the House Cup, and the points stand thus, In fourth place with 322 points, Hufflepuff, In third place with 381 points, Slytherin, In second place with 452 points, Ravenclaw. The House Cup is awarded to Gryffindor in first place with 586 points. Well done, Gryffindor. Now it is time for me to make a few announcements."

McGonagall gave Severus a penetrating glance to which he nodded in reply, and then stood up. "Headmaster, if I may interrupt, I have something to say."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in surprise at being interrupted. The only time that this had ever occurred before was when Umbridge had been at the school. This should be interesting thought Dumbledore. "Of course, Professor Snape. You have the floor." Dumbledore sat down, and waited with interest to see what was about to occur.

During this exchange Harry leaned over to Ginny and asked quietly, "What do you think that he's up to?"

Ginny merely shrugged in reply.

Snape picked up his glass, "Over the past six years here, there have been a group of students that have risked everything, including expulsion and my wrath to do what they thought needed to be done. They have been honored above all other students time and time again. One of these students surpasses even the others. He has proven that he can be trusted to always do the right thing, and prevail against the forces of evil. I would like to propose a toast to this individual. So I ask you to join me and raise your glasses to Harry Potter."

The entire hall froze in shock. Even Dumbledore appeared to be speechless. Harry sat with his mouth hanging open with the rest of the Gryffindors. This was just too much to believe. The rest of the hall recovered and grabbed their glasses, raised them and shouted, "Harry Potter!"

Snape returned to his seat with a smug grin on his face as the rest of the staff continued to stare at him in awe and shock.

Dumbledore finally regained his senses and stood, "Now, onto the announcements. It has been a wonderful year. However, there was an incident of great danger that occurred a few days ago. All of you know that I speak of the attack by Lord Voldemort. We won the battle, but the war is far from over. So I must ask you all to stay alert over the coming summer months. Voldemort will attempt to subvert and destroy as many of the allies of the light as he possible can. Take no unnecessary chances. Hopefully, by the end of next year, this will all be over. For now, enjoy the feast, and the holidays." Dumbledore sat down amidst a great deal of applause, and then the feast appeared.

Everyone dove directly into the sumptuous meal and began to eat.

The next day, they rode the carriages down to the platform to get on the train. Harry stood with his friends talking to Hagrid. Hagrid asked, "Are ye goin to enjoy ye're holiday, Arry?"

Harry smiled, "I'm going to try. I assume that I will have to mix business with pleasure, though. I don't see much of a way around it."

Hagrid looked puzzled, "How so?"

"I have no intention of giving Tom and his Death Eaters free reign this summer. I told Tom that I would enjoy the hunt, and I intend to." answered Harry.

Hermione gasped, "Harry, you can't be serious. You can't go out looking for them. That would be dangerous. Somebody could get hurt."

Harry nodded, "You're right, Hermione. It will be extremely dangerous. For them."

Hermione started to say something again, but Ron clamped a hand over her mouth. "Hermione, for once, shut up and let him do as he pleases without a headache."

Hermione looked furious as being cut off, but the rest of them laughed at her. Neville placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, "I don't know how the rest of them feel about it, Harry, but if you need me, you know where to find me. Death Eater hunting sounds right up my alley."

Ron grinned, "You sure have changed, Neville. A few years ago, you would have been terrified at the idea of facing a Death Eater."

Neville snorted, "Like you wouldn't have. I've already experienced the Cruciatus Curse. The only thing that they could do worse, would be to kill me."

Luna placed a hand on his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder, "That's quite a risk, Neville."

Neville nodded and smiled, "I know, but I can't think of anyone I would rather be beside to take that risk than my friends."

Harry wrapped and arm around Neville and Luna, "Hopefully, that is a bridge that we will never have to cross. If we do, then we'll deal with it when we get there. Right now, though, all I want to do is enjoy the ride back to King's Cross."

Ginny smiled, "Well, we better hurry, then, because the train is about to leave." The six friends said goodbye to Hagrid, who waved merrily to them all as they got on the train to return home for the summer.

The six students found an empty compartment, and settled down for the ride. Ginny leaned over into Harry's shoulder and stretched out, and tried to take a nap. Neville and Ron got into a game of wizards chess while Luna and Harry watched. Hermione, as usual, curled up with a book and began to read.

After a couple of hours and several shifts as Harry and Neville alternated being beaten by Ron, Draco Malfoy showed up. He pulled the door to the compartment open, and said haughtily, "I see you've had some additions made to your fan club, Potter."

Harry looked up from his game to see Malfoy flanked by his two customary cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, "Sod off, Malfoy. The odor is too much to bear."

Ginny smiled, "Yes, I believe that we need to open a window to get rid of the smell." She leaned over and opened one of the windows.

Malfoy's eyes glinted dangerously, "I'm warning you, Potter. You better keep your dog on a leash."

Harry stood and advanced on Malfoy, "You aren't too smart are you, Malfoy? Even your master is scared to death of me, and you don't have enough sense to back down. I know that you carry the Dark Mark. The moment that you give me an excuse, Malfoy, I am going to kill you. Keep that in mind if you decide to gallivant with your father and his toads." Harry took a step back, and settled back down to the board. He looked over to see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle still standing in the doorway. "In case, the three of you are too dumb to comprehend what I just said, I was dismissing you. Now, leave."

Malfoy turned red with anger and went for his wand. Harry casually waved his hand and sent all three of them crashing into the far wall. He spoke evenly and coldly, "That was your last warning, Malfoy. Stay out of my way." Harry waved his hand again, and the door shut and locked itself.

Hermione looked at Harry in concern, "Harry, I don't think that threatening Malfoy is going to do any good. He's just going to keep bothering you."

Harry looked up, "That was no threat, Hermione. If he continues to associate with the Death Eaters, then I will kill him. No questions asked."

Ron looked askance, "Could you really kill him?"

"Do you really need to ask me that question, Ron? I've already killed quite a few Death Eaters. I have given Malfoy more chances than he deserves to change. He will have it his own way, and I will destroy him for it. There is no other way. If I allow him to continue on the path that he has chosen, he will become the next dark lord. Remember, Tom Riddle had just finished school, when Albus defeated Grindelwald. Draco is the right age to follow in Tom's footsteps. He certainly idolizes him enough." answered Harry.

The rest of the people in their room nodded their heads soberly. Ginny grinned, "Okay, that's enough dark thoughts for the time being. We are supposed to be enjoying ourselves. Let's play Exploding Snap."

Harry smiled back at her, "Excellent idea, my dear."

The six students continued to play games as the train finished its voyage back to London. The students got their trolleys and wheeled through the barrier into King's Cross station together. Once, Harry entered the Muggle world, he saw something that he couldn't believe. The Dursleys were standing there waiting for him. He grinned and then began to laugh. Ginny looked at him in concern, "Harry, what's wrong with you?"

Harry pointed at the Dursleys, "I guess with all that has been going on, no one told them that I would not be returning. This is going to be fun."

Vernon barked at Harry, "Well, boy, let's go."

Harry shook his head, "I don't think so, Vernon. I am not returning to Privet Drive."

Petunia looked up sharply, "What was that?"

Harry smiled, "I have my own home, now. I will never darken your doorstep, again."

Vernon advanced threateningly on Harry, "Why did you make us come all the way here to pick you up if you weren't returning?"

Harry shrugged, "An oversight, actually. Nobody thought to inform you that I would not be returning. I assumed that Professor Dumbledore would have told you, and I assume that he made the same presumption about me."
Vernon growled, "Fine, then. I don't want to ever see you near our house, again, boy." Vernon shook his finger in Harry's face.

Harry snorted, "Don't call me boy, Vernon. The consequences could be most severe if I am displeased."

Vernon barked, "Don't give me any of that rubbish. I know that you can't use any of your tricks on me outside of school."

Harry sighed, "How wrong you are, Vernon. However, I warned you, and now you must suffer for it." Harry waved his hand, and suddenly all three Dursley's were clothed in clown suits, complete with makeup and ridiculously large shoes.

Petunia gasped in horror. Dudley began to cry, and Vernon shot one look of menace at Harry. The three Dursley beat a hasty retreat after this, since people were starting to stare at them.

Harry turned around to find Ginny, Ron, Neville, Luna, Fred, and George beaming at him. Arthur attempting to hide the smile on his face from his wife, while Hermione and Molly looked on disapprovingly. Molly began, "Harry, that wasn't very nice."

Harry smirked, "No, but it was extremely funny."

Hermione broke in, "Harry, your powers aren't meant to be used that way."

Harry snorted, "What's the use of being the most powerful wizard alive, if I can't have a little fun."

Fred and George broke in, "Yeah, Hermione, lighten up. You know how bad the Muggles have treated him over the years. He deserved a chance to get back at them. Besides, mate, that was bloody brilliant."

Molly softened when they made the statement about how the Dursleys had treated Harry over the years. Hermione still looked doubtful, but refrained from saying anything else, since it was obvious that her opinion was in the minority.

Harry grinned at everyone, "Let's go home."

A/N: Well, readers, it has been a wild ride. However, as all things do it has come to an end. We must say Adieu to Harry Potter and the Year of Discovery. For those of you that don't read the review answers, the sequel will be titled Harry Potter and the Spirit of Time. You can expect the first chapter on Tuesday. Hopefully, it will be just as wild a ride. I want to thank everyone that has stuck with me through the ups and downs of the story. I hope you continue to enjoy. Anyone who reviews this chapter can look for the answers to their reviews at the end of Chapter One of Harry Potter and the Spirit of Time.

Gaul1: Leopards don't change their spots. Thanks for the review.

Dragonstorm316: Sending hexes by owl post? That's kind of harsh. Why am I evil? Thanks for the review.

Kemperor: Thanks for the review.

r: I have intended to write a sequel from the beginning. Thanks for the review.

Dnd4ever: I appreciate that. Thanks for the review.

h-ruff: Well, look at the odds. The two of them met at random walking down a corridor in an enormous castle. What are the chances that a Death Eater just happened to be hiding in a classroom right off the hallway. That's the world of fiction, though. Thanks for the review.

TopQuark: Thank God. Thanks for the review.

Maria: They're on the way. Thanks for the review.

LoBeZnO: I'm glad that you're able to read. Thanks for the review.

Blip-dragon: Viola! The last chapter has arrived. Thanks for the review.

DDG: I don't have any immediate plans for after The Spirit of Time, but that's two and a half months away. We'll just have to see where my imagination leads me. Thanks for the review.

US HP Fan: You're not alone. Thanks for the review.

ExpectoPatronum0: I appreciate the loyalty. It makes writing worth it. Thanks for the review.

Mark-33w: Thanks for the review.

Kda: That's a heck of a compliment. I'll do my best to live up to it. Thanks for the review.

Bonjour: I have a very vivid imagination. Thanks for the review.

Nemesis78N: I'm glad that you're enjoying it. Thanks for the review.

Sirius24: Just don't combust from excitement. Thanks for the review.

Capt_Kidd: I thought it was a nice little twist. Thanks for the review.

Captuniv: You have no idea how much effort they are going to go to. Thanks for the review.

Athena kitty: No, nobody took a picture. Thanks for the review.

James Potter's Lily Flowers: If the suspense is killing you, I consider my job well done. Thanks for the review.

Anonymous610: I'm glad you don't have to hate me. Thanks for the review.

Miksan: Thanks for the review.

Cocopops: Thanks for the review.

ScruffyWes: I hope you change your mind and get far enough to read this review answer. Thanks for the reviews.

Jbfritz: Thanks for the review.

John: Power isn't everything. Harry still needs everyone with him, or exactly what is he fighting for. He's not invincible either. Just against normal wizards. Thanks for the review.

Joulez: Don't look for Harry to get anymore powerful than he is now. You will see the effects of a lot of his powers, though. I've got something special planned for the Malfoys. Don't worry. Thanks for the review.

Jeangab057: You better believe it. Thanks for the review.

Jlatmil1: Thanks for the review.

HP-wannabe69: I thought it was a nice way to show Harry's power off. Thanks for the review.

fuzz furry: I'm glad you're happy about it. Thanks for the review.

ABiGpoptart: I'm glad. I didn't particularly want to be murdered. Then, you would have never gotten the sequel. Thanks for the review.

Harryp123: Sequel's on the way. Thanks for the review.

Gryphonmistress: He'll calm and mellow as he gets older. Thanks for the review.

whitetiger: Don't expect that one. Too much time has passed for that to occur without some time backlashes. Not to mention, Sirius died as he would have wanted to. To bring him back would insult him and take that away, in my eyes. Thanks for the review.

LE: Snape is really starting to like Harry. Thanks for the review.

Dustin-Coons: Thanks for the enthusiasm and the review.

Hp4all: If you're going to complain, do so with some sort of intelligence. Gryffindor led the game 90-80, which means ninety to eighty. Harry caught the Snitch worth 150 points. That made the final score of the game 240-80, which means two-hundred forty to eighty. As you can see, I didn't screw up the math.

Spaghetti sausage: By now you should have read the Author Notes that give some insight into Harry's character. If you still have questions, feel free to ask. I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks for them.

Kaosstar: The sequel is coming. Thanks for the review.

Mel B: I do my best to please. Thanks for the review.

Red Eyed, Divine Dragoon77415: I don't intend to get rid of Fudge until the end of the next one. Thanks for the review.