As requested, I have put a note on this story so that people will now I have started to write a conclusion. It will mostly be a romance, possibly because I have just finished working on an original romance work, and I'm still in that frame of mind!! Anyway enjoy the sequel – 'The Difference A War Makes'. Little old lady; 9th June 9, 2004.

Rocky235, Nphipps, Iesa, Bob33, Grambones70, Chloe, Raphaelle, harrycrazy432, Nasser Himura, lali, KeenW, RogueBludger, jbfritz, Locolisa, Millie 4 Harry potter, Numba1, All Hail Chaos, rahl, Elisa, fanficfreak, jekl, Midknight, Dan, leggylover03, Lisienna, SacHigh05, SheWolfe7, jouve25, saxistwriterchick, Huskerinexile, captuniv, athenakitty, TopQuark, Ash Knight Thank you all for your reviews, your suggestions throughout and your help! Enjoy the Finale!!!

Chapter 33 The Final Step!

Dumbledore sat with Minerva McGonagall and various Ministry members at a large table, in front of them stood a short blond man called Artimus Grey, he was holding a small, replica of Hogwarts.

"Now if you look through the doors here," Artimus pointed, "You can see we have maintained many of the original features inside the castle as well." The man beamed proudly as he went on, "The building work would take around two months and would be ready for new students at the beginning of November!"

"Thank you Mr Grey, if you leave the model on that side table, we will be in touch." Dumbledore replied.

The door opened and a tall red headed man walked in, "Good morning, my name is David Nettles; I am here to present an offer to the rebuild council." His bright smile was slightly disconcerting as he placed a model on the table.

"I propose the new school should be called, Raven Heights, as you can see it is a modern building and would take six weeks to complete."

The model building was mainly glass and steel, built over four floors with a huge glass clock tower in the centre. The panel thanked the man and indicated for the next applicant to enter.

"Dumbledore's School of Magic," a rather rotund witch with grey hair announced, showing them a beautiful model made of Stone and wood. "Each of the subjects would be taught in a colour coded corridor, Orange for Transfigurations (Dumbledore felt Minerva wince beside him) Purple for Charms, Green for Potions, Red for…."

"Thank you, we will study your model," Madam Bones said.

The next model was presented by young witch with jet black hair and a nervous smile. "My name is Genevieve Grayson. My husband and I designed this building, when I was describing to him the school I attended as a teenager (He's a muggle architect). I am honoured that you have agreed to see it." She spoke quietly and Dumbledore recalled that she was a Ravenclaw student who had graduated seven years before. "We called it Thistledown School."

The model was a large stone castle with seven tall spires, and long stained glass windows. Dumbledore thanked her and they waited for the last applicant to arrive,

The last model was shaped like a pentagram with lightning bolt shaped windows. "I call it The Harry Potter school of Magic," the old man said firmly and turned and left the room.

"Well, that's all of them," Madam Bones announced, "What do you all think?"

"Well, I refuse to teach in a purple corridor or an orange one for that matter," Minerva announced, sneering at the model called Dumbledore's school.

"Actually, I rather like the colour scheme, but I would have to insist they changed the name," Dumbledore laughed.

"Still, the quicker we can rebuild, the better," Madam Bones said. "The shortest estimates seem to be for Thistledown, or the Potter school."

"Well I can tell you now that Harry would detest having a school named after him," Dumbledore said, "although the design is actually quite pleasing."

"I like this one," Minerva pointed, "Thistledown; it is large and elegant but not too austere."

"There is the added merit that a muggle helped to design it," Dumbledore added. "It seems right somehow."

"Anyone have any objections," The rest of the Ministry officials shook their heads and so Madam Bones asked for Genevieve Grayson to come back inside. The young woman looked more nervous than ever, as she took her seat in front of the panel of older mages. After an hours talk, it was agreed that Thistledown school would be built on the old Hogwarts site. Each of the seven towers would house a school year, since they agreed that they would not divide the students any more. Each year group would share a tower and one of the teachers would be appointed head of each year, their own private quarters would be in the tower also.

The school would have an official opening ceremony on September 11th, and the school year would start on the 12th. Dumbledore left the ministers to arrange the details as he drew Minerva aside and told her, "Are you sure you like the new design?" Minerva nodded. "Good, because it will be your school."

"My school? Surely you don't mean it, are you retiring?" Minerva asked.

"Yes, I think that I have done all I can for the students, they will start fresh with a new school and new headmistress," Dumbledore smiled.

Afterwards, Dumbledore led a slightly shocked Minerva to face the others on the rebuilding council. And he announced his decision. Smiling broadly Madam Bones congratulated Minerva and turned on Dumbledore with a gleam in her eyes, "You are no longer Headmaster of Hogwarts so I formally propose that you stand for the position of Minister of Magic."

"Now Amelia, you know I have never had any political aspirations," Dumbledore replied.

"You cannot deny me this Albus," Amelia smiled, "You helped change many of our bylaws during this war, not least the situation with the House elves and Goblins. It is your responsibility to follow through on these matters."

"She has a point Albus," Minerva looked at him.

"Very well, I will allow myself to be nominated, but only if you will run in opposition, Amelia. The people do not need to be forced into any decisions," Dumbledore conceded.

"It will be a white wash, you know," Amelia Bones commented happily. "The people have wanted you in this position since before Cornelius Fudge."

So the Ministry printed the voting forms and delivered them to every wizarding household in Britain. It was indeed a whitewash; Albus Dumbledore became Minister of Magic, in his acceptance speech he spoke of renewing the ties with their Magical cousins the Goblins and the Elves. Many of the people, who were sceptical of the Ministry's decision to release the creatures, were appeased. If Dumbledore supported the idea, then it had to be worth some merit.

Over the weeks that followed, the new Headmistress of Thistledown School of Magic, made many changes to proposed timetables. Divinations was removed from the timetable and one of the core subjects was Muggle studies, all children were required to take the lessons for the first three years. Remus Lupin was offered a position as Defence against the Dark Arts professor and Severus Snape surprised everyone by accepting his old post of Potions Master. The applications for a new Transfigurations teacher took a while to sort out but eventually a witch named Morag McDonald was accepted.

Things were progressing well and high above the workman who were clearing the ruins of Hogwarts, recovering what they could from the Library and the Headmaster's office, an eagle was spotted several times. What the men didn't see was each night when they left the site, the eagle landed and transformed into a tall, skinny, dark haired boy and used a little of his magic to make their job easier.

Instead of taking two weeks to restore the ground, ready for the new building, it took only one, and many of Hogwarts treasures were recovered from the ruins. The eagle retreated into the forest and watched as the small model building was placed on its site, and the wizards gathered round to cast the spells to bring it to full size and secure it to its foundations. The process was fascinating and time consuming, but at the beginning of September the teachers arrived and began to prepare the school for the students.

On September 11th the wizards returned and placed decorations on the lush green grounds, the eagle flew as close as it dared to the school, curious to know what was happening. The wooden doors bore a new coat of arms, a large thistle with two wands crossed and a motto written underneath. "Love is the most powerful magic of all."

The six long stained glass windows, which would probably be in the Great Hall, depicted the four founders of Hogwarts, one showed Dumbledore, and the last showed Harry. The eagle flew away back to the forest as the doors opened and a few wizards came out to inspect the decorations.

From his cover in the forest the eagle watched as the Thestral drawn carriages pulled up at the gates of the school and hundreds of wizards poured onto the grounds. The eagle watched them walk around the perimeter of the new building, nodding and pointing at all the features and after an hour they went inside, leaving the doors wide. Edging closer the eagle peered in through the doors and to his horror, after the last wizards had moved from the entrance hall, he saw a statue in the centre of it. A stone statue of Harry with his robes flapping in the wind, wielding the heavy sword of Godric Gryffindor, just as he had seen in his dream a year ago.

Transforming back to his human shape, Harry Potter, his robes still torn and dirty, his face thinned from his lengthy time as an eagle, walked through the doors of Thistledown School of magic. Not bothering to draw his wand, Harry raised his hands and stared at the offensive statue. Forcing the energy out of his palms, a bright white light encompassed the statue, which gave a shudder then fell into a thousand small pieces.

The resounding crash brought the wizards in the next room racing out of the Great Hall. Several minutes of gasping and chaotic talking, erupted around Harry as he was overwhelmed by the crowd gathering around him, people fighting to pat his back and touch the edges of his dirty robes, until a loud voice carried over their heads.

"Let him through, give him some room please," Minister Dumbledore appeared in the gap of the crowd and walked slowly towards his former student. Smiling he said, "I told them you would hate that statue."

Harry smiled a small lopsided smile as he said, "Hello, Professor."

Dumbledore gathered Harry into a hug and said, "I'm glad to have you back but I'm no longer a Professor, Harry." He released Harry and with a wave of his wand, Harry dirty appearance disappeared as his robes were replaced by thick Green Velvet robes and his dirty face was suddenly clean, his messy black hair was a little less spiky but shone cleanly now. "Come in and join the opening ceremony."

The dazed crowd of wizards followed the Old man and his prodigy, whispering furiously to one another. Before Harry could take his seat he was attacked by a tall red head and a bushy haired girl, screaming his name and smothering him in a hug.

Harry grinned as the warmth of his friends love surrounded him.

"We should take our seats now," Dumbledore said quietly, "I'm sure there will be time after the ceremony to catch up."

Ron and Hermione smiled and nodded, leaving Dumbledore to take Harry up to the top table. Professor McGonagall snatched him up for a quick hug and released him before he could react. Ginning at them all Harry took a seat between the teachers and dignitaries.

Dumbledore stood and faced the whispering crowds; they hushed slightly as he began his speech. Harry listened with one ear as Dumbledore spoke about the new school and headmistress and how they stood at the dawn of a new age. His attention flitted around the room, seeking out his friends, smiling at them quietly. Suddenly he heard his name and Dumbledore was leading the crowd in a round of applause. The crowds started to call out, "Speech, speech," and Harry found himself being shoved to his feet, staring blankly at the expectant crowd.

"Hi, I didn't really come here to make a speech, I'm not very good at that kind of thing," He said quietly. "I guess I would just like to wish Professor McGonagall good luck with the new school and such."

"Can you tell us what happened with Vol…Voldemort," Someone shouted.

Surprised to hear the name shouted out loud, Harry looked around and said, "Um he's dead. He was killed by the eruption that destroyed Hogwarts."

"Why don't you explain to us why he did what he did?" Dumbledore suggested quietly.

"Me?" Harry replied, "I think that you are probably better qualified to do that than me."

"Actually I would like to hear your theory on it," Dumbledore replied, his eyes teasing Harry.

"If you really want, but it's only my opinion," Harry shrugged. "I believe Tom Riddle wanted to purify the magical word, to remove the muggle-born and half bloods because he realised that they were set to be more powerful than the pure bloods." Harry looked around the room and his eyes rested on the Weasley's. "When he first came to Hogwarts, he learned the painful story of his birth, he hated Muggles, because his muggle father had abandoned his mother when he found out she was a witch. His hatred turned to jealousy as he realised that the muggle-borns and half blood were growing not only in numbers but in strength." Harry paused, and saw Dumbledore smile encouragingly.

"He discovered that the pure blood wizards were dying out, each generation was producing fewer children than the last, with a few exceptions," Harry smiled at Mr and Mrs Weasley. "More often, squibs were born, yet the number of half bloods and muggle-borns was increasing."

Harry looked around the room, and then continued, "Voldemort thought the problem was with the mixed marriages stealing the magical blood lines, so he tried to destroy them. But he was wrong, the problem was with the arranged marriages of the pure bloods, cold, loveless arranged marriages. The children conceived for duty rather than love."

Harry paused to see if anyone would argue with him, "The magical children born from love matches held the greater power, because in the end, Love is the most powerful magic of all." Harry sat down heavily in his seat and kept his eyes lowered. Slowly the crowd began to clap and stand up, until the room was filled by the sound and Harry looked up to see Dumbledore beaming down on him.

"As Minister of Magic," Harry's eyes flickered in surprise at this announcement, "I am proud to award Harry Potter, The Order of Merlin, First Class," Dumbledore withdrew a gold pentagram from his robes and pinned it on Harry, "And beg him to join the Ministry as an Auror. His skills and intelligence would greatly contribute to the new equality we at the ministry are striving for."

The crowd cheered and Harry shook hands with the Minister, "Thank you, Sir, I would be honoured."

The tables filled with food and the feast to celebrate the opening of Thistledown School of Magic began. Lasting until the late evening was reflected on the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, a replica of the ceiling that protected the students for centauries.

Severus Snape approached him and stood austerely behind Harry's seat. Turning, Harry stood and held out his hand to the Professor. "Thank you for saving my life," Harry said.

"Thank you for saving all our lives," Snape answered. "But I consider my debt to your father paid, so don't expect me to do it again."

Harry smiled and replied, "I won't and the next time you choose the wrong side, don't expect me to be there to save you."

Snape nodded and said, "Good bye Harry Potter."

"Goodbye Severus Snape." Harry replied.

Harry had suffered the attention of all the guests and answered many questions until they had been satisfied and allowed him to join his friends. Sitting among them, Harry enjoyed the party and caught sight of the stained glass window, depicting him duelling with a serpent with red eyes. Harry smiled, Voldemort was gone, and he could start to live his life now.

THE END

Thank you to all who have read this story, I appreciated all your reviews and emails. I am not really planning to continue onto another story yet, but I said that the last time and look what happened. So Goodbye for now and thanks for the support!!!!

Little old lady.