26

Chapter 26: Ever After, Journey Over

Thanks for all the reviews.

Well, this is the end of this story. I'm not sure when, or what, I'll write next. It all depends on my muse, or what someone says to tickle it. I do have one unfinished fic, but I've reached a block on that one. I might try writing a nonfanfiction. Who knows.

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According to reports from Amelia and Steelclaw, the Department of Mysteries and Gringotts got together and did hunt down the horcruxes. It was decided because while the goblins had the magic, they didn't have the authority to go places that the DoM did. The goblins would tell where the pieces were and then sent the Unspeakables to retrieve them, with a squad of curse breakers. It was a good scenario, all contingencies covered, which came in handy a few times.

They already had the necklace, which they set aside in a vault. They didn't know if Voldy could feel if it was destroyed or not, so they were going to collect them all and obliterate them all at once. They just had to decide when and where. The goblins were all for doing it right away, but the DoM wanted to study them. It was an argument that was on going.

The first place they went was the Lestrange vault. It was the closest and they got the Hufflepuff cup without issue. They put it with the necklace. The Lestranges got their vault confiscated with prejudice for having it within their vault. It violated a treaty with the goblins, and they had the right to take it all. Sirius was more than happy to let them have it. It would be one less vault in Death Eater hands if old Voldy ever got his body back.

The next item they went after was the ring. It was the only one that wasn't hard to get to, in the physical sense since it was in the open. It wasn't as easy as they thought, and one goblin was killed trying to retrieve it. The curses around the item were harsh and deadly, hence the loss of the goblin. It too was put in the vault.

The fact that it was a Deathly Hallow made the DoM go into a frenzy. They wanted to find a way to remove the horcrux from the thing, but not even the goblins knew how. The Withering Curse almost cause more than one death due to the humans need to use the Resurrection Stone. The goblins finally put it in a lead box to keep them from feeling the compulsion.

They followed the residue from the diary to the headmaster's office in Hogwarts, and the Unspeakables were able to retrieve it from Dumbledore, with much argument. While they were there, they got the diadem and found the Room of Lost Things, which they vowed to search after the Dark Lord was vanquished. They were also able, with the help of a parselmouth that worked with Gringotts, to get into the Chamber of Secrets, which they also vowed to search, to get some venom from the dead basilisk. Just in case they needed it to kill the horcruxes. They were still debating it.

Dumbledore was able to claim the kill, but he had waited too long, and most of the dead snake was beyond salvaging. One of the few things of any worth was the venom, which was illegal to sell. The skin was useful and he was able to recoup that for a few hundred galleons, which he had to give to the school. The Board of Governors argued that the snake was school property and all claims had to be paid to the coffers. The heartstring he was able to sell to Ollivander for a few hundred galleons, which he again had to put in the school coffers.

The last horcrux was a snake, at least they thought it was. And they didn't go after it because it was with the main soul part. They had someone at all times with the other horcruxes to 'kill' them at the right time. Or to take to the DoM. Whoever won that argument.

Dumbledore tried to argue that Harry was a horcrux, but the goblins disputed this and had the parchment to prove that the teen was not, nor had ever been a horcrux.

This all happened within a matter of weeks. Before the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. They were all ecstatic that it happened so quickly. Lily and Sirius were kept up to date by their account managers and Amelia. They let everyone else know what was happening.

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Now it was time for the first task, and Sirius bought a Wizarding Wireless Radio just so they could listen to it. The boys were allowed to stay home for the day. They all gathered around the radio to hear what was going on. Even Mandy and Sally took the day off and they had snacks from Twinky ready to hear what was going to happen.

Bagman was giving a step-by-step description of Cedric Diggory's attempt to get passed the dragon. It seemed he was transfiguring some rocks into dogs to attempt to make the dragon's attention go elsewhere. It worked until he was leaving with the golden egg that he had to retrieve, and the teen had to duck behind a boulder to flee the dragon's fire. He got scalded in the face for his efforts.

"That was really smart of him," Harry said, wondering if he would have done the same. "I wonder if he knew about the dragons before he went in there," he stated aloud. He didn't think so. Bagman described how scared the teen seemed at the beginning of the task.

"I'm not sure. If not, then that was a pretty good on the fly strategy," Sirius said, though he knew there was probably some cheating going on. He didn't know who or when. He didn't trust Karkaroff as far as he could throw him, the man was an ex-Death Eater after all.

"What would you have done, Harry?" Neville wanted to know, looking at his foster brother. "I know I would've tried something with plants. Though I'm not sure what kind would've been useful against dragons," he added, thinking hard on all the magical plants he knew of. There were some man-eating plants that grew rather tall, but he couldn't have hauled them with him into the arena. He did wonder if a fast-growing vine would have done the trick.

"I think, I might have tried to out fly it," Harry said, knowing it was one of his strongest suits. "Now that I've had a minute to think about it, yeah, I think that's what I would have done." He was sure that he could have done that. He was wicked fast on a broom. They went to a wizard's park every now and then just to fly, and Harry beat everyone who challenged him. He was pretty sure he could out fly Krum.

"Wait, they're bringing in the second dragon," Lily said, making them quiet down again. She made shushing motions with her hands.

Ludo announced Fleur Delacour. She charmed her dragon to sleep, walked to the nest and grabbed her egg. She was blasted with a bout of fire from the sleeping dragon's nose.

"What is she that she can do that?" Harry asked with wonder in his voice. "I mean, that is not a normal witch's trait," he added quickly. He had never heard of or read that a witch could do that. Delacour didn't even use an incantation. She just stared at it and weaved her hands.

"She's probably Veela," Remus said, rubbing his chin. He was their expert on nonhuman magical beings. "Or at least part. They have an allure, that is part of their mystical makeup. They have the ability to charm other magical beings. Most women don't like them because they can charm men without even trying. I would wager that is what she is," he said definitively.

"I've never met a Veela before," Harry said, wondering what she looked like. He had heard they were beautiful.

"I have," Sirius said, getting a dreamy look on his face and earning a smack in the head from Mandy. "What?" he protested, then got a cowed look at her glare. "I mean, you're just as beautiful," he said, quickly, hugging her to him. She glared at him for another minute, then relented. It wasn't his fault that Veela were exceptionally beautiful.

"Good save," Remus chuckled, drawing Sally closer to him. He had never met a Veela either, but he knew they were ravishing.

"Here comes the third," Neville said, drawing their attention back to the radio. He waved his hands for silence. Krum was next and he wanted to hear what the Quidditch star would do.

Viktor Krum blinded his dragon, causing some of the eggs to be smashed. He then darted in and grabbed his egg. He had to dodge and weave not to get smashed by the flailing dragon.

"There's going to be issues with that," Lily predicted. "I don't think the dragon handlers are going to like that one bit," she added, knowing that dragons were a protected species.

"They shouldn't have used the real eggs," Harry said with a huff. He folded his arms and slouched back on the chair he was sitting in.

"I don't understand why they did. If the dragons are so endangered, why would they risk it?" Neville asked, his brow scrunched in confusion. "Fake eggs would have done just as well," he added, saddened that the eggs were smashed.

"Wizards aren't known for their common sense," Lily said, her face twisted in anger.

"You know you are just cutting yourself down when you say that," Sally teased, laughing a bit.

"I am a witch, and dead, I am above the common wizard," Lily sniffed, sticking her nose in the air, making everyone laugh.

"Wait, they've got the fourth dragon out," Remus said, causing everyone to lean forward.

"And now for our fourth champion, Harry Potter," Bagman's voice came over the radio, his tone was hopeful. They could hear it crackle over the airway. He sounded like he was desperate to have the boy there.

The crowd was dead silent, then they started murmuring. Harry could pick out some dissatisfaction among them and he was glad that he never got to know those greedy, petty, people. Then again, they were just kids and teenagers. He heard the teachers and judges complain that he was not there, even though they knew he wasn't coming. They had been told from the beginning that he wasn't going to be there.

"Harry Potter," Bagman said, his voice going shrill. Now they really heard that desperation.

"Wow, he really sounds desperate for me to be there," Harry said, listening to the man calling his name.

"He probably bet on your participation," Lily said with a huff. She knew the man was an idiot, but damn.

"Shhh," came the noise from the rest of the group as they listened to the radio.

"He's a coward," came a call from the crowd. Then many started booing, like they were disappointed that the teen was depriving them of entertainment. Those listening could just picture the things being thrown into the arena.

The dragon started roaring at the increased noise and it sounded like it was spewing fire. The crowd screamed making the dragon roar louder. Soon the onlookers realized it was making the dragon madder and quieted down.

"The last call for Harry Potter," the desperate man called, his voice was cracking by now.

A few seconds went by and that's when a man started to scream, making the spectators murmur and yell. Harry and his family had no idea who was screaming until the reporter scurried to the teacher's booth, which was right next to the judge's. There was a great deal of confusion going on over the radio.

"That's Mad-eye Moody," Bagman was heard to say. He must have followed the reporter.

"No, whoever that is, is under a Polyjuice," Snape's silky voice came over the airways. "You can tell it is being forced out of his system."

Sirius and Remus knew what that looked like. It was like the skin was boiling and writhing to be put back into its correct place. It was not a pleasant experience.

"Who do you think it really is?" one of the teachers asked, though none that were listening knew the voice.

"Bartemius Crouch Jr." came Amelia Bones voice as she joined the people in the booth. "You two, go find the real Moody," she said. She must have indicated someone as they heard scurrying feet leave the area. "The rest of you keep your wands on this one," she said firmly. "Teachers and onlookers get out of the way. This is a dangerous man. He is a wanted criminal," she said, and they could hear the sound of people moving back.

"Get out of my way," came another female voice, and the sound of people being shoved aside. "Let me through," the voice kept saying, she sounded out of breath, like she had run to be there and was not in shape to have done so.

"Poppy, can you tell me if he still has magic," Amelia asked, her tone neutral.

There were some sounds they couldn't identify and then Poppy said, "He's devoid of magic."

Gasps were heard, but Harry and his family cheered.

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Those listening to the radio were jumping up and down with great joy. They turn the radio off and were set to party. Sure, it was a bit morbid to celebrate someone losing their magic, but hey, it wasn't Harry.

"What do you think is going to happen to him?" Harry asked, finally sitting down after jumping around the room for a bit.

"I'm not sure. Probably the Veil," Sirius said, running a hand through his beard.

"What is the Veil?" Neville wanted to know.

"The Veil of Death is what it is called. It's a doorway to the unknown," Remus said, getting into lecture mode. "It's in the Department of Mysteries," he added, settling down on the couch with his girlfriend. "They use it for criminals that can't be held in Azkaban, or those that are just that heinous. If they ever catch Voldemort, they will use the Veil on him. No one really knows what it does, but we do know those we throw in it are lost to us forever," he concluded.

"What if we are sending them to an innocent world?" Neville asked, not liking that thought one bit.

"According to the Wizengamot, that's their problem, not ours," Sirius said with a shrug. "Believe me it has been brought up a time or two," he added. "They have debated it since the Veil first started being used, and that is what it boils down to. Not our problem," he finished. Like Neville, it wasn't something he agreed with, but he was outvoted. Too many people didn't want the vile prisoners in this world, and since there was no proof they were sending them to another world, and not to their death, the Veil it was.

"Sometimes I really hate the British wizards," Harry said, a frown on his face. "I have to be a part of that government," he said, his face screwed up like he had just sucked a sour candy. He had been doing his duty and studying for when he took his place on the Wizengamot, and he was not impressed. However, if he was going to make changes, then he would have to sit with them and do his best to make those changes.

"Not for a while yet," Sirius tried to console his godson. "Until you do, just relax and let me handle it," he said, reaching over and patting the teen's arm. "I've been doing a good job so far," he stated with a wicked grin. "Besides, we don't have to stay here once you two are done with school. It's not like Britain has done you any favors."

"Yeah, but our history is here," Harry said, thinking that might not be enough to keep him here. Right now, the only thing keeping them here, was the Longbottoms. They were still trying to get the credentials to cure them more. He decided that instead of becoming a doctor he was going to become a neuroscience scientist/healer. This would give him a wider range of study. He hoped that would give him a better understanding of what happened to Neville's parents and prevent it from happening to others.

Neville was still going to be a botanist/herbalist.

"We shouldn't be talking about this right now," Lily said, putting a bright smile on her face. "Sirius, this calls for pizza," she said, getting whoops from the teens. "Twinky, break out the fizzy drinks and butterbeer," she said to the house elf. "Let's party."

The celebration went on until late that night, and everyone went to bed happy that Harry's magic was safe.

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A few days later, Amelia came by to let them know what was going on with the case. She was led in by Remus this time. As they all settled around the living room, Twinky put out some tea and cakes. It was Saturday and the boys were at the Longbottoms to spend some time with Neville's parents. It was only Lily, Sirius, Remus, and Amelia this time.

"As you know, Barty Jr. was rendered a squib at the first task's event," she said, knowing they had listened to the tournament on the wireless. "I questioned him after he regained consciousness, and found out where You-Know-Who was hiding. I took a squad of men there, with some Unspeakables, and found him and Peter Pettigrew. Pettigrew was arrested immediately. You-Know-Who was taken into custody and rendered helpless as much as we could make him. He was in the body of a toddler. He and the snake were taken into captivity by the Unspeakables." She took a sip of her tea and waited for any questions.

"Did the Dark Lord lose his magic?" Lily asked, hoping that he had since it was his plan to put Harry's name in the Goblet.

"No, but he wasn't all that strong to begin with. It seems that he is weak from whatever you or Harry did to him that Halloween night. He had this elaborate plan to regain a body by putting Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire. If Harry had competed, he would have faced seven months of hardship and met with the Dark Lord weakened and worn out. Then You-Know-Who would have used Harry's blood to regain his body, making him more powerful than before. It is a dark ritual that requires the blood of an enemy, the bone of the father, and the body of the servant, which is why Pettigrew was there," Amelia explained, having gotten the story from a very forthcoming Pettigrew.

"I think I've heard of this ritual," Sirius said, thinking of the books from his family library. "It is dark," he agreed. "I, for one, am glad you finally got Peter. It's about time that rat got caught," he added, knowing they had been searching for Peter since he got freed all those years ago.

"What happened to Voldy?" Lily asked, hoping they threw him in the Veil.

"The Unspeakables are examining the body he is in, and his horcruxes. They probably will keep him for a while," Bones said, not sure if that was a good idea, but she didn't pity the Dark Lord. The Unspeakables weren't known for their morals. "They are trying to see if killing him will kill the Death Eaters, or render them squibs," she added, picking her cup up and taking another sip, eyeing the cakes, and wondering if having one would hurt her diet. She decided that one would not hurt and picked a pink one up and nibbled on it.

"Is there any way to make them just drop him in the Veil? Along with the horcruxes," Remus wanted to know. "It can't be a good thing to keep the Dark Lord around the ministry," he added, not liking that one bit. "What if his followers try to get to him?" he asked, very concerned about this.

"I could try and get the Wizengamot to force their hand, but they don't always listen to the them. They say they are not part of the ministry," Amelia said, with Sirius nodding in agreement. She too was concerned the Death Eaters would try to get to Voldemort. Though the DoM was tightening security with the Dark Lord down there. They had some deadly traps they were setting up. Like she said, they didn't have morals when it came to their studies.

"Besides, there are Death Eaters on the Wizengamot. They wouldn't want to lose their magic, or their lord," Sirius said, knowing the likes of Nott, or Yaxley would not vote to have the Dark Lord executed.

"What of Dumbledore?" Lily asked, hoping the man was still going to be asked to leave Hogwarts.

"What of him?" Amelia asked. "I have nothing to do with him," she added, flipping through her notes. She wanted to make sure she had told them all they needed to know.

"Is he still going to be asked to retire?" Lily replied, leaning forward to hear the answer sooner.

"To the best of my knowledge, that has not changed. With Harry's name coming out of the Goblet, it is one more mark against him," Bones said, closing her notebook and leaning back in her chair.

"Good," Lily said, satisfied that her revenge against the old man was complete.

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Years later, Harry and Neville did go on to become prominent professionals in their chosen fields. Harry did get the Longbottoms to become better functioning adults. They were able to take care of themselves, and they doted on their grandchildren.

Harry went on to marry Susan, who forgave him for his duplicity. They had three children and lived in the muggle world most of the time. Susan adapted rather well with the help of Lily and Harry. He was a well-known Scientist/Healer who was known to perform miracles with the brain in the muggle world and the magical world. There was nothing he couldn't cure. Well, that is what they said, there were illnesses that were still out of even his reach, but he didn't let that stop him from trying.

Neville married a girl he met in college, and they had two children. He was a well-known herbalist/botanist. He studied making medicine and potions and helped Harry with the meds needed to help his parents function better. He went on to discover many medicines and potions that helped many children and adults. He was also considered a miracle worker in many things. Especially when it came to the nervous system.

Sirius and Remus married their girlfriends and had two children each, Sirius and Mandy adopted theirs. Remus taught his children how to make it in the muggle world and they did the same thing Harry and Neville had done, being they went to muggle schools and studied magic at night. Remus' shop stayed open for many years, his kids taking over when he was too old to operate it.

Sirius went the opposite direction, and sent his kids to Hogwarts, and then to muggle summer school. He still sat the Wizengamot, along with Harry and Neville, and they were responsible for many pro-muggleborn laws to come into play. His kids were happy to play the spoiled rich kids and live the life of luxury.

As for Albus Dumbledore, he faded away into obscurity. He was retired from Hogwarts after the Triwizard Tournament and was hardly ever heard from. He tried to get his government jobs back, but the black marks against him rendered that impossible. The Weasleys never forgave him and made sure to let it be known that he was persona no grata to them. His public image was tarnished so bad that it was hard for him to go into the public without backlash. Snape lived with him, seeing as he didn't have anywhere else to go, and he made the supply runs. Albus died soon after his retirement, and Snape was left his pitiful estate.

Tom Riddle was studied by the Unspeakables for many years. He was poked and prodded within an inch of his life, and his horcruxes were too. They never did find a way to detach them from the vessels. He was experimented on, and every bit of his life was examined. It wasn't until they could find nothing else useful about him, that they finally gave over and chucked him and his horcruxes through the Veil. By this time all his Death Eaters were already dead, so they didn't have to worry about them dying with him. They did mourn the loss of the Resurrection Stone, but it was considered a necessary cost. Some swore they heard a 'thank you' come from the Veil when they threw it in.

Lily was anchored to the Potter family for many years because of the spell that she cast on baby Harry. She was linked to the blood stone that Harry had created for her, and she got to see many of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and so on, grow and die. It wasn't until many, many, many years later that death finally came for her. The last of the Potters died the day before, and she waited.

"I have come for you, Lily Potter," the deity said as the blood stone cracked, the blood in the stone fading into nothingness.

"Finally," she said, sighing in relief. It had been too long in her eyes. Her revenge had been long ago when Tom Riddle had been thrown through the Veil of Death and Dumbledore died a broken man. "Let's go. I want to see my son and husband," she said, hooking her arm in theirs.

And off the two of them went to the ever after.