A/N: You can thank the fact that I'm on holidays for these fast updates! Enjoy.

XXII. What Kind Of Day Has It Been?

"Scarce heard amidst the guns below,
We are the Dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset grow -
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields."

Harry

Through the chaos of the battle, a single thought suddenly resurfaced, flooding my senses.

Ginny.

She was dying.

I got to my feet, gritting my teeth against the pain from my burning leg, and stumbled to where she lay. Two Aurors were already there.

"We can't stop it, Potter. It's killing her."

The Nostradamus Light hovered above her body like a leech, giving off a foul, pulsating glow. Ginny's face was drawn and her eyes, eerily open, looked devoid of anything.

I had nothing. I had no one to give me an answer. I didn't know how I had overcome the effects of the Light whilst in the Pit.

I couldn't save her.

It is the magic against magic itself. The perfect weapon.

I recalled V's words.

There is no spell, no curse, no charm that can destroy the Light.

But perhaps there was.

"Get back," I instructed the Aurors. "Cast your strongest shields."

Magical energy crackled through the air as they complied.

I clenched the Elder Wand in my fist. A lesser wand would fail. But with the Elder Wand I had a chance.

Fiendfyre and the Patronus Charm, the dark and the light, but both unrelenting magic. Unified, I had used them to destroy the Inferi horde.

A tonuge of Fiendfyre sparked into life from the tip of my wand, leaping about, feeding off my doubt, my uncertainty, my fear.

X's words came to me.

Control it.

"Expecto Patronum," I whispered.

The flame steadied, and grew.

"Expecto Patronum!" I said, emboldened.

The tongue of flame brightened to an intense, blinding white light. The same power that I had felt at Holyhead flooded through me again. The pain of my wounds had faded away.

I pointed my wand at the Nostradamus Light.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

My eyes closed shut as pure magical energy - bright as the midday sun - exploded through the clearing. I could not see it, but I could feel the Nostradamus Light fighting against me. It was not an evil magic, but rather a vast empty void with an insatiable hunger.

My body shook as bolts of energy coalesced around me. This power I had somehow brought to being was not something I could sustain for long.

The empty void grew wider, threatening to engulf me as the power of the Nostradamus Light encircled me.

And in that void, I gave a yell of defiance, and struck back at the emptiness, again and again and again.

Magical energy clashed in a gargantuan struggle.

Once more, I gave cry.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

The titanic energies had reached a critical point.

I faced the cold void, and released the last of my control.

The result was cataclysmic. Bright energy exploded in every direction as I expelled what was left of my strength. An unearthly shriek filled my senses as the void was torn apart.

I opened my eyes. The bright light was fading away.

The furious energy was gone, and the renewed power I felt gone too. The pain of battle blossomed anew, and this time, my fatigue was total.

But I was victorious. The Nostradamus Light was no more.

Only pale moonlight remained.

I knelt next to Ginny, and lifted her head, brushing back the hair from her face.

"Come on. Wake up, Ginny."

Around us, the Aurors were returning to their feet. I could hear the bark of sharp orders.

"Wake up."

She gave a sudden gasp, and I saw the light return to her eyes, before exhaustion overwhelmed me, and I fell to the ground beside her.

Ginny

The early light of dawn was coming across the horizon when I excused myself from the care of the Healers in the Hospital Wing, and went down to sit by the Lake.

After two days recovering in the Hospital Wing, I felt stronger than I had in a long time. My magical energy had an edge to it that was more refined, more charged.

The Healers had said that it was Harry's own magic flowing through me, replenishing what the Nostradamus Light had taken from me.

Harry too, had recovered, although he was still using a crutch to support his leg.

As if on cue, I heard quiet footsteps.

It was him.

"Ginny…can I sit?" I nodded.

He sat beside me gingerly, careful not to place too much pressure on his injured limb.

"How are you feeling?"

"Okay. Strong, actually."

"You can't tell anyone that the Nostradamus Lights exist, Ginny."

"Only if they're destroyed," I replied bitterly.

"They're going to be. And soon. You have my word."

I knew he wasn't lying.

"You didn't come here just to tell me that."

"No," he admitted. "I didn't."

"You know, a decent part of me wants to hex you into the middle of next year."

"I know. I'm in awe of your self-restraint."

I shot him a look and the smile disappeared from his face.

"The way you left me…that hurt, Harry. More than anything."

He gave a frustrated sigh.

"What can I do, Ginny? All I can say is I'm sorry. I left because I wanted you to be safe."

"How many did you kill, Harry?"

"It's not something I'd like to share."

"How can you expect me to understand, to think that it's okay for you to murder so many people?"

"You didn't have a problem with me killing Voldemort. What's different between that and bringing any of his Death Eaters to justice?"

"It's not…you tortured that man to death, Harry! You could've used a Killing Curse, but you didn't. Why did you have to kill him like that?

"I was so scared, that I lost control. I lost control, Ginny. I lost myself, because I thought I was going to lose you."

"That's what terrifies me, Harry," I replied quietly.

"I was blinded by purpose. When I was in the Pit, all the good was stripped from me. I heard my mother die - over, and over again, until it became endless. Vengeance, I think, kept me sane," he said. "When I left Azkaban, I wasn't myself. All I could think of was Rookwood's threat - that he was going to go after you."

"You used Dark Magic," I said accusingly.

"As a means to an end. Not because I enjoy it. I'm not that person. Not anymore."

"I remember the first time I kissed you. I remember this - the days by the lake when we were together, so long ago. I remember the way you held me after the Final Battle. I remember the girl who put her elbow in the butter…and the same one that caught the Golden Snitch. I remember us, Ginny."

"For a time I forgot. I won't deny it. But I remember it now," he said, looking into my eyes.

I could not see the darkness behind those brilliant emerald eyes. But I knew it still lingered, and that was something that would take longer to accept. I didn't know if I ever would.

"I'm going to need some time, Harry."

"How long?"

"I don't know. I really don't know."

"Wrath of Merlin is over."

"It's not about that…I mean, it is, but it's only part of it. We can't be together Harry."

"But with time then?"

I didn't reply straight away. He wouldn't like the answer anymore than I did. I wasn't being vague on purpose, but I had to work this out for myself. By myself.

"I just don't know."

He ran a hand through his hair in the same way I had seen his father do it in photographs. When he replied, I could hear the resignation in his voice.

"Okay."

He gave my hand a squeeze, then stood slowly. He took two steps towards the water, turned to give me a small half-smile, and then disappeared with a crack.

Kingsley Shacklebolt made his way through the throng of reporters and blinding camera flashes to take his seat next to Arthur Weasley before the Wizengamot.

It had been one hell of a week. The Daily Prophet had run wall-to-wall coverage of what they were calling 'Merlingate' every day since the attack on Holyhead. They knew nothing of V, or the mess in the Forbidden Forest, but that was little to be thankful for. The press had plenty of meat to chew on.

In a bitter display of resentment, several high ranking MLE officials had denounced Kingsley's actions just this morning, stating that the Department of Mysteries had no stake in national security.

The Department of Mysteries had declined to comment.

The wizard presiding over the hearing stood, and made a gesture for silence. Charles Magellan was not necessarily a friend of Kingsley's, but then again, he wasn't necessarily an enemy. He would vote according to his principles, and his alone.

"Today, the Wizengamot will hear testimony from Minister Shacklebolt and Deputy Minister Weasley on the covert Operation Wrath of Merlin," Magellan stated in a booming voice. "Myself, along with Senior Warlocks Shaw and O'Brien will lead questioning. Gentlemen, you may begin when ready."

"Minister Shacklebolt, please tell me: does Operation Wrath of Merlin exist?" Shaw asked.

"Yes."

"The Daily Prophet alleges that this Operation's key purpose was to hunt down Dark Wizards and supporters of Voldemort. Is that allegation correct?" O'Brien queried.

"Yes."

"Thank you, Minister. Where was Wrath of Merlin based?"

"In the Department of Mysteries."

"Were any branches of Magical Law Enforcement involved?" Magellan asked.

"No."

"Not even the Auror Office?"

"No."

"Did any member of Magical Law Enforcement have knowledge of the Operation?"

"No."

"Minister, you have the entire Department of Magical Law Enforcement at your disposal. Why create a secret group to do the job that many here would agree belongs to the Auror Office?"

"The Auror Office and the wider MLE lacked the operational efficiency we believed necessary for Wrath of Merlin," Kingsley replied.

"By which you mean you didn't want to use a group publicly accountable and bound by law!" said Shaw, his voice raised.

"Your words, not mine, Councillor," Kingsley replied nonchalantly.

"Duly noted, Minister," Shaw said frostily.

"Deputy Minister, the next question I have is for you. Why did you endorse and become involved in Operation Wrath of Merlin?" asked O'Brien.

"I was convinced that the threat to Wizarding Britain was still severe. I felt that Minister Shacklebolt's proposal for Wrath of Merlin was the best response to that threat."

"You have publicly expressed your desire for a more open and transparent government, yet you supported this operation. Does that strike you as hypocritical, Minister?" asked Magellan.

"I fought in the Battle of Hogwarts. I lost a son," Arthur replied. "In the aftermath, we needed safety. And we needed justice. So no, it doesn't."

"You've both mentioned the immediate threat to the nation after Voldemort's downfall at Hogwarts," O'Brien asked. "Can you elaborate on that threat?"

"The Department of Mysteries estimated that at least one-third of Voldemort's core force went into hiding after his death at the hands of Harry Potter. They remained faithful to Voldemort. Whilst they were split into various factions, they represented a considerable threat. Every single act of terror in the last year was perpetrated by these Death Eaters."

"Minister, including yourself and the Deputy Minister, how many people were involved in Wrath of Merlin?" O'Brien asked.

"Five, initially, with support from various divisions within the Department of Mysteries."

"Could you name the Mysteries personnel directly involved in the Operation?" said Shaw.

"Their true names are codeword classified. They went by the monikers X and Y."

"Went?"

"Both are deceased."

"In combat?"

"Yes."

"You gave only two names, yet you mentioned there were five of you. Minister, you are missing one person."

"You want to know if Harry Potter was involved in Wrath of Merlin," Kingsley continued.

There was a distinct pause. The Chamber was deathly silent.

"Fuck it," said Kingsley, sending the press pack scrambling for their censors.

"The answer is yes…"

"…Harry Potter was a member of Operation Wrath of Merlin."

The Chamber erupted into chaos.

Cries rang out from the galleries above the Chamber. The WWN and Prophet reporters went mental. Councillors turned to shout at each other and Kingsley.

"ORDER! ORDER!" shouted Magellan above the fray.

Ginny

I had not intended to come, but Hermione had insisted. My trusty excuse - Quidditch - had failed me. Our preseason had been delayed whilst Holyhead Stadium remained an active crime scene.

So it was thanks to my brother's girlfriend that I found myself sitting high above the Wizengamot Chamber, crammed in elbow-to-elbow with at least a hundred other people whilst absolute chaos reigned below.

The wizard presiding over the hearings - Magellan, Hermione had called him - rose to his feet and brandished his wand. With an ear-splitting whiplike crack, the Chamber quietened down. With a nod, the questioning resumed.

"Minister, I want to discuss the nature of the missions you carried out as part of Operation Wrath of Merlin. You affirmed that the primary purpose of the mission was to hunt down wizards."

"The primary purpose of Operation Wrath of Merlin was to protect the people of Wizarding Britain," Kingsley replied, his voice clear.

"Good answer," murmured Hermione.

"Nevertheless, that involved hunting down dark wizards and witches, did it not?" asked Shaw.

"It did."

"What happened to those apprehended by the Operation?"

"Most were killed on sight."

"Most?" pressed Shaw

"Some were not."

"Were targets ever interrogated through methods not condoned by the MLE?"

"Yes."

More gasps made their way around the chamber.

"Councillors, I would table this particular line of questioning in the interests of national security," said O'Brien, standing. "It is not a matter for an Open Chamber."

"Agreed," said Magellan.

The three Senior Warlocks conferred briefly in hushed tones.

Shaw stood.

"Assembled Councillors, we have heard today from these two men a tale that constitutes nothing less than a flagrant violation of the trust we have placed in their leadership!"

"When faced with the truth, the Minister flatly denied all knowledge of Harry Potter's whereabouts and Operation Wrath of Merlin. He kept up this lie for weeks, knowingly and deliberately misleading the Wizarding Public."

"I move for a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Kingsley Shacklebolt and Arthur Weasley."

"Is the motion seconded?" O'Brien asked.

"Aye," answered Magellan. He too, stood.

"So be it. The Wizengamot will reconvene in two hours. As is customary, closing arguments will be made and a vote will be taken."

"What happens if the vote passes?" I asked Hermione.

"Kingsley and your Dad will be banished from office. They could then face trial," she replied, her face grim.

We watched as the members of the Wizengamot slowly filed out the double doors in the Chamber.

"What will they do?" I asked.

"They'll decide which way to vote. Councillors loyal to both Kingsley and Shaw will attempt to sway the undecideds and the independents," Hermione explained.

Harry

"They're killing us!" Kingsley exclaimed.

"Shaw is firmly against you, Minister. Magellan less so, but as a stickler for protocol, it's not difficult to see why he seconds Shaw," O'Brien remarked.

We had returned to Kingsley's office. A flurry of paper planes filled the air as both our side and Shaw's sought to win over undecideds or convince Councillors to change their loyalties reached fever pitch.

An out-of-breath secretary handed a sheet of parchment to O'Brien, who scanned it quickly, before handing it to Arthur.

The Warlock raised his wand, and a series of glowing names appeared in the air, floating underneath two signs stating 'AYE' and 'NAY'. With another flick of his wand, the names separated to either side. There were a noticeably greater number of 'AYE' votes.

"These are the projections based on what the secretaries are negotiating between the Councillors," O'Brien explained for my benefit.

"Can't the Councillors just talk to each other directly?"

"I suppose so, but then our secretaries would feel undervalued and resign en masse."

As if on cue, an undersecretary rushed into the office, and handed O'Brien a scrap of parchment.

"Greengrass is open to an offer."

"I'll back his proposals on the trade negotiations with Germany. No guarantees though. He won't get a better offer from Shaw."

"Kingsley, those proposals will ruin -" Arthur protested.

"They can be countered by the tax incentive we're putting in place to support the Diagon Alley Business Association," Kingsley replied smoothly.

I realised then, how Operation Wrath of Merlin was only a small part of Kingsley did as Minister, and wondered how he got any sleep.

"Which will sway Jones and his lot," added O'Brien.

"Is this vote even going to be about Wrath of Merlin?"

Kingsley and Magnus shot me an identical wolfish grin. Arthur's expression was one of bemusement.

"With any luck, Harry, not at all."

A few more glowing names switched sides, and a third group appeared under a new heading: 'UNDECIDED'

"You're going to lose a lot of political capital, Kingsley."

"We're gaining conservatives though."

"And losing a liberal for each we gain," Arthur pointed out.

"They'll come back, or abstain. Remind them of Shaw's record. They won't go so easily to his side then."

A flurry of paper planes shot into the office, followed by three more secretaries.

"We've got Lyman and the Northern Irish delegation," O'Brien added.

"We don't have much longer," Arthur said, checking his wristwatch.

"Let me speak," I said.

The three men all looked at me in surprise.

"They'll listen to me. If the Boy-Who-Lived is on your side, they won't vote against you."

"You can still escape unscathed, Harry. The MLE have dropped proceedings against you based on your actions against V. But if you testify, then you allow yourself to be drawn back into the inquiry," O'Brien said.

"I don't care. As you said, they'd have to be mental to convict me."

"Have you done this before?"

"I think I can manage," I said.

"What will you say?"

"I'll talk about me," I said, ideas springing to my mind. "I make this about me, not Kingsley, or you, Arthur."

"By Merlin, you're right!" exclaimed O'Brien, who then turned to Kingsley. "He's right. Potter should speak. As the Muggles would put it, he's the smoking gun. The ace in the hole. With him, you win."

Yet another secretary entered.

"Sirs, it's time. Council is reconvening shortly."

Magnus gave one more flick of his wand.

The words TOO CLOSE TO CALL appeared in shimmering letters, as the names and columns faded away.

Ginny

Hermione and I returned to our seats in the gallery. Below us, Dad and Kingsley were taking their own seats, as were the Councillors of the Wizengamot.

Magellan stood.

"This Chamber will hear closing statements before the vote is cast. Warlock Shaw, you have indicated that you wish to speak in support of your motion of no confidence in the leadership of this Ministry."

Shaw stood, and tapped his wand to his throat.

"Assembled Councillors. What are we to make of this? What do we make of two men - whom we all respect, who we chose to lead us in the trying times of the war's aftermath? What do we make of them when they betray us? For Operation Wrath of Merlin constitutes nothing less than a betrayal of the most outrageous magnitude!"

"You have listened to, in shock and disbelief - just as I have - the testimony of Minister Shacklebolt and Deputy Minister Weasley."

"For shame, Minister! The way you lied to us all - denying everything to do with Wrath of Merlin, whilst behind our backs, you orchestrated every move of your clandestine Operation. Your ineptitude in dealing with Augustus Rookwood that left close to fifty civilians dead, not to mention Gawain Robards!"

"Centuries of magical law have been swept aside by Minister Shacklebolt's desire for what he considers to be justice. Hundreds of our magical brothers and sisters have been summarily executed without fair trial or presumption of innocence!"

"My fellow Councillors, are we not the safeguard against this tyranny? We must make the Minister answer for what I consider to be grievous crimes against the nation!"

"I implore you: vote Aye! Force the Minister and his Deputy to accept the grave consequences of their actions!"

Magellan rose as Shaw returned to his seat.

"Minister, your closing argument, please."

"I wish to delegate my closing argument to a representative."

"As you wish. Name your representative."

"I call Harry Potter," Kingsley spoke simply.

And then there he was, quiet footsteps tracing a path from one of the entranceways to the main floor of the Wizengamot Chamber itself.

The press looked as if Christmas had come early.

"The Chamber recognises Harry Potter," Magellan's voice rang out.

"Of your own volition, do you wish to speak in the defence of Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for Magic, and Arthur Weasley, Deputy Minister for Magic?"

"I do."

"The floor, Mr Potter, is yours."

"I'm no great speaker," Harry began. "I did not ask for my fate."

"After the Battle of Hogwarts, Kingsley came to me. He told me words I dreaded to hear. He told me it wasn't over. Hundreds of Tom Riddle's supporters and sympathisers were still out there. They wanted revenge. They wanted me, my friends, all those I loved - they wanted us dead."

Harry pulled out a poster from his robes, and held it up for all to see. The Wizengamot went quiet.

On the poster were the words: UNDESIRABLE No. 1.

"Not so long ago, this very Chamber publicly denounced me. Like cowards, you did not question why. Where were you, all those months I spent on the run, when I infiltrated the Ministry, and broke in and out of Gringotts? Where were you, when I was captured and imprisoned in Malfoy Manor? A House Elf came to save me. What did the Wizengamot do?"

His voice rang around the Chamber.

"Where were you, when Albus Dumbledore faced his end atop the Astronomy Tower? Where were you when I faced down Tom Riddle? Where were you in the Final Battle?"

"Where were you when Colin Creevy died? He was fourteen years old."

"All my life, I have known fear. Fear, that every day, Voldemort might be waiting for me. Fear for my friends, the people who I love, getting into harms way simply because they know me! That same fear lead me to cut myself off completely, from everybody, whilst I hunted down Dark Wizards from a dingy room in the Department of Mysteries!"

"And that was why I enlisted in Wrath of Merlin. We were vengeance. For every evil they committed, we made them pay with their lives."

"I believe in Kingsley Shacklebolt and Arthur Weasley. I believe that Operation Wrath of Merlin was born from the desire to protect you all. I will not watch these men fall upon their swords because they dared to rid us of the evil that has plagued our nation for over twenty years. "

"So ask yourselves this, before you pass judgement on these men: what if Wrath of Merlin had never happened? What if they were alive today, mobilising, waiting?

"Consider the alternative, and cast your vote."

This time, it took ten minutes to restore order.

When the press pack and the crowd in the public galleries had finally settled down, the three Presiding Warlocks stood again.

"Mr Potter, your testimony today means that the formal inquiry now extends to you. You must therefore respond to summons for a closed Wizengamot hearing regarding the details of your involvement in Wrath of Merlin. The findings of the hearing could result in criminal or civil charges, and failure to attend the hearing is an offence under the law. Do you accept this?" O'Brien asked.

"Yes."

"I move that Potter be held in custody until the time of his hearing. He represents a significant flight risk," Shaw said.

"Seconded," added one of the witches sitting in the Wizengamot ranks.

"I dissent! Councillors, this is Harry Potter, not some common criminal. Besides," O'Brien added with a grin, "I daresay that if Harry wanted to leave, nothing could really stop him."

Shaw scowled.

"Motion withdrawn."

"Councillors," began Magellan, "I consider the proceedings concluded. Are you in agreement?"

There was a chorus of assent from the Wizengamot.

"Good. Let the vote be cast!"

One by one, each Councillor of the Wizengamot stood and declared their vote.

"Aye!"

"Nay!

"Aye!"

"Aye!"

"Nay!"

I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding in. Beside me, Hermione was muttering under her breath, counting the votes.

As the last few Councillors stood to deliver their votes, she nudged me and held up four fingers.

"Aye!"

"Nay!"

"Nay!"

Magellan stood as the count concluded.

"With a majority of four, the 'Nays' have it. Motion dismissed. The hearing is adjourned."

A great cheer went up around the Chamber for those who supported Kingsley. Shaw had a look of pure disgust on his features, and I saw other Councillors with similar scowls.

I saw Dad exhale slowly as Kingsley gave a grin, relief showing across both their faces.

Harry's own face remained a neutral mask. Whatever he was thinking, it was impossible to tell.

We returned to The Burrow with Hermione. As we arrived, an impatient-looking Ministry wizard was waiting just outside the ward boundary with a brown package.

"Miss Granger, the Minister for Magic wished you to have this. He sends his regards."

"Thank you," she replied, taking the package from him.

The blue-uniformed wizard nodded and left.

We went up to my room, and Hermione quickly unwrapped it, finding a large purple envelope with a silver seal - Minister's Office - on it. She broke the seal, and pulled out a stack of parchment.

"It's the paperwork from Wrath of Merlin. I sent in a formal request for it after Rookwood attacked the WWN."

"I guess they thought it wouldn't matter any more." Hermione looked down at the page, and I read over her shoulder:

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

REQUESTED BY: Miss GRANGER, HERMIONE JEAN AUTHORITY No: 1101 SOURCE: Dept. Myst, Dept. MLE, AO, OMfM.

THIS DOCUMENT IS UNDER MAGICAL EMBARGO. IT MAY NOT BE COPIED, PUBLISHED, REDISTRIBUTED, OR POSTED. INFRINGEMENT PENALTY: MINIMUM - FIVE YEARS IN AZKABAN | MAXIMUM - LIFE SENTENCE IN AZKABAN FOR TREASON

*TOP SECRET* CLASSIFIED - LEVEL NINE - by order of *********************************** OPERATION WRATH OF MERLIN*********************** ******* **** **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Operation Wrath of Merlin *** ********************************************************************************************************************************************
************************************************* Operation Wrath of Merlin *********************************************************************
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Hermione quickly flicked through the rest of the parchment. Apart from three occurrences of 'Operation Wrath of Merlin' on the first page, the entire document was blacked out. "This is ridiculous!" she exclaimed in frustration.

"I guess they thought it did matter after all," I said, looking in the purple envelope.

A small folded piece of parchment sat stuck in the corner. I reached in and pulled it out.

"Here, this was in the envelope."

Hermione opened the parchment. Again I peered over her shoulder.

Dear Hermione,

As requested, the official documents pertaining to Wrath of Merlin. I hope you find them informative.

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for you and your many talents, but I would kindly ask that you put this matter to rest now.

Harry has informed me that he would like to show you a selection of his memories. That information should be sufficient to satisfy your curiousity.

I look forward to presenting your new legislation for the rights of sentient magical creatures to the Wizengamot in the coming days. It is my hope that the new laws can be signed before the commencement of the Death Eater trials.

As always, my sincere regards,

Kingsley

Hermione gave me a mock serious face, and despite myself, I giggled.

"Please stop meddling, Hermione. It's very annoying that I can't throw you into Azkaban," she said in a mock impression of Kingsley.

"Are you going to stop?"

"I don't seem to have a choice, do I? Besides, it's over anyway. There are more important things to focus on. Like Harry."

"I'm not ready to forgive him for everything he's done, Hermione."

She nodded.

"I understand - but for both your sakes, I hope you do. He needs you."

"Can we not talk about him right now?"

"Okay," she replied softly. "I'm going to find Ron - I think he's starting to feel neglected."

She got up, leaving me to my thoughts.

I made my way into bed. Dropping my head on my pillow, I thought about what lay in front of me. Come Monday morning, I would return to Holyhead and join my teammates for the rest of preseason training.

Despite what I'd said to Hermione, my mind drifted to Harry.

The last I'd seen him, he'd been standing in the Chamber, hands shoved into pockets, his mouth a grim line as he watched the Wizengamot file out in an orderly manner. The press and public had been politely, but firmly asked to leave.

I didn't know what was going to happen to him. What would he do now? Where would he go?

I recalled our conversation by the shore of the Black Lake, and felt only further confusion. He had saved me, but he had also used me as a lure so he could put a score of Death Eaters to the slaughter.

Despite what he had said, the Harry I had fallen in love with was gone.

For now, it was time to move on.

Kingsley stood before the microphone.

"We're live in a few moments, Minister," someone announced.

A witch moved in front of him, and held up three fingers, then two, then one.

Clearing his throat, Kingsley began.

"Good evening. Fellow witches and wizards, I am talking to you tonight because I want you all to know the facts.

When Voldemort took power, we were transformed into a nation more fearful, and as a result, a nation more hostile when he was defeated.

This is why I created Operation Wrath of Merlin. I enlisted soldiers to fight in a secret war, and chose only the finest: two battle-hardened Unspeakables, and the man who had taken down Voldemort.

And now, Harry Potter has returned to us all.

I am not ashamed to tell you that I am proud of what Wrath of Merlin accomplished. Over five hundred supporters of evil are dead or imprisoned as a result of the Operation. The Ministry has more intelligence and information on Dark Wizards today than it has had in two hundred years.

It was a success. But I was mistaken in not sharing this mission with the Wizarding World. It was an abuse of the power you all entrusted in me.

The Wizengamot, in their wisdom, have elected to preserve my position as Minister for Magic. I pledge now, that tomorrow you will wake up to a Ministry more open and more honest. We will be a champion of all the ideals we fought for. This I promise you.

Thank you, and good night."

"We're out!" yelled the witch.

"Not bad," Magnus remarked.

"Percy Weasley makes a fine speechwriter," Kingsley replied.

"Indeed…I might have to poach him from you at some point."

"Hmm. I daresay he prefers the Minister's Office to that of a Senior Warlock."

"He might prefer doing some real work for a change," Magnus replied with a smirk.

The two men walked down the corridor in comfortable silence.

Reaching the end, Magnus spoke once more.

"My recommendation. Have you given any more thought to it?"

"Gregor thinks it is too early."

"Are you inclined to agree with him?"

"Part of me, yes."

"It is long overdue, Kingsley. He is of a noble house that descends from the Peverells themselves. It is time for Potter to live up to his destiny."

Long after the members of the Wizengamot had left their seats, and the crowd had been dispersed, and the reporters had rushed to meet their deadlines for the morning's news, Harry Potter stood alone in the Wizengamot Chamber.

The endless blinding flashbulbs had subsided into dim light, the sheer overwhelming noise of it all had given way to silence, and shocked faces had become empty seats.

Neat footsteps made him turn.

It was Kingsley.

Harry nodded in greeting. Kingsley dipped his head in return acknowledgement, then let out a long sigh.

"Hard day at the office?" Harry asked.

"You could say that," Kingsley grimaced.

"So what happens now?"

"I don't know."

"We have to do something…they're still out there, Kingsley. I know they are."

"You really think so?"

"Yes. V wasn't lying. She wanted me to know about the remaining two."

"What would you have me do? Would you have Wrath of Merlin continue?"

"No. We have to do it differently now. Hell, Merlin did alright. We took some of them - more than just some - with us at least - but look what it's cost! X and Y are both dead, Arthur's relationship with his family is all but ruined, and nobody trusts you anymore! Your own Ministry nearly kicked you out!"

Kingsley stared at him, impassively. When he replied, his voice was low.

"And what did it cost you, Harry?"

The young man with the jet-black hair and the emerald eyes did not answer.

Kingsley watched him for a moment, eyes narrowed in thought.

"You wanted to be an Auror when you were in school, didn't you?"

"Bit late for that now," Harry replied wryly.

"Not quite. Lead the Aurors. They can answer the threat now. It's about time they go back to doing their job. I need a new Commander. Who better than you?"

"You can't be serious."

"I am. You know as well as I do that we can't just let go everything we've done in the last year."

"But, they're," - Harry gestured around the empty room - "not going to like it. They'll vote you out!"

"They don't have to like it. You're the best man for the job. And I survived one vote today, I'm sure I can survive another if necessary. I still have a few friends here."

"I don't know the first thing about running the Auror Office!"

"Neither did I when Scrimgeour gave me the job. You'll learn quickly."

"You were already an Auror!"

"You just spent a year doing five times as much as any Auror."

"But, I…at least let me think about it," Harry replied, suddenly flustered.

"Fair enough. Take some time to consider it."

Kingsley began to walk out of the Chamber. Before he disappeared from sight, he stopped and turned.

"I'll see you Monday morning. Eight o'clock sharp, my office."

And then he was gone, leaving Harry to his thoughts.

After a few minutes, Harry too, donning his Invisibility Cloak once again, left the Chamber, exiting through the lantern-lit passageway.

He headed to his room in the Department of Mysteries. He arrived to find that the walls were now bare, and his trunk lay packed on his bed. The message was clear: the Department of Mysteries was a place he could no longer consider a home.

It was well and truly over.

Changing into regular clothing, the thought crossed his mind that he'd need to find somewhere to stay. Maybe Tom would give him a room at the Leaky Cauldron. But of course, he wouldn't get a moment's peace there. He didn't even know if he'd be welcome.

Muggle London, then.

Wheeling his trunk outside, Harry extinguished the lights with a flick of his wand.

He closed the door behind him with an audible click. He wasn't surprised when he tried to open it again, to find that it was now locked to him.

The Department of Mysteries was still that: a mystery.

Leaving the Ministry of Magic quickly, Harry, only a few minutes later, arrived on the streets of London, just another commuter amongst thousands out late.

His trunk clattering along the cobblestones behind him, Harry, alone, made his way into the night.

And what did it cost you, Harry?

The words rang in his head as he walked along Oxford Street. The lights flashed, and he stopped, waiting at the crossing as cars slowly rolled past. With his voice a quiet murmur that only he could hear, he answered aloud:

"Her."

"It cost me her."

In the end, Operation Wrath of Merlin was a war much like any other.

There were those who profited.

There were those who suffered.

There were those who were devoured.

And then there are those for whom there are no words.

THE END

A/N: Thus concludes Wrath of Merlin…well, not quite. This is not the end, but rather the conclusion to Act I.

As the story shaped over the last couple of years that I've spent writing it, it became more and more apparent that Wrath of Merlin has a logical endpoint.

But Harry and Ginny's story is of course, far from over, and so there'll be an Act II: a new story called Auror Commander.

Auror Commander picks up directly where Merlin ends, and covers Harry's return to the Ministry as part of the Auror Office, the beginning of Ginny's career with the Holyhead Harpies, and - I promise - their reconciliation. It's long overdue.

And to thank you all for sticking with me and Wrath of Merlin - and to encourage you all to follow Auror, I've just posted the first chapter - which can of course, be found on my profile page.