Epilogue: May

May 2nd

Auror Quintin was briefing the staff on security for the memorial ceremony when an owl knocked on the window. Flitwick jumped up on the desk and retrieved the note. "Molly, it's for you."

Molly opened the letter. "We have to go," she said, disbelieving. "We have to go. Our granddaughter was born." Minerva braced herself – today could not have been the birthday they were hoping for their first grandchild to carry.

Arthur whooped and started shaking hands with everyone in the room, but Molly stood quietly for a moment. "Molly?" Arthur asked.

Molly hesitated for a long moment. "It's kind of perfect," she finally said, "Isn't it?"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Minerva couldn't believe it had happened, that a year had passed since the battle. A year of change, of transformation, truly. She stood on the erected platform on the Hogwarts grounds and glanced again toward the white tomb. This time, though, she simply nodded in its direction, silently thanking her mentor not only for what he had done in the war, but for what he had done in her life. She imagined that somewhere, wherever he was now – with Gellert Grindlewald, perhaps – Dumbledore winked back at her.

Sprout, Flitwick, and Slughorn stood to her left, Dougal to her right, as people streamed onto the platform, silently arranging themselves for the ceremony.

Around her were other signs of healing, of mending bridges that had been broken. When Molly and Arthur ran breathlessly up to the platform, it was to be embraced first by Percy, then their other children. Andromeda Tonks and Narcissa Malfoy stood hand in hand, and Vincent's Crabbe's parents shook hands with Colin Creevey's.

Minerva waited for the aurors below them to complete their protection spells, then she began. "We gather to remember those we have lost. Perhaps they were our friends. Perhaps they were our family. Perhaps they were our enemies. We were divided by war, but we unite in remembrance." She took a breath and went on with her father's words, "We pray that someday an arrow will be broken, not in something or someone, but by each of humankind, to indicate peace, not violence. Someday fearlessness to love and make a difference will be experienced by all people. Then the eagle will carry our prayer for peace and love, and the people of magic and non-magic communities can sit in the same circle together to communicate in love and experience the presence of the mysteries in our midst. Someday can be today for you and me."

As the sun set, they spoke in turn the names of those who had fallen.

Andromeda Tonks' voice shook as she called out, "Nymphadora Tonks." She shot a series of pink sparks into the air.

Lyall Lupin, whom Minerva hadn't known was still living, trembled as he quietly said, "Remus Lupin," as he released a spell of tiny birds that took flight around the platform.

Narcissa Malfoy said, in a voice barely above a whisper, "Bellatrix Black," letting out a simple white light that glowed like a star in front of her.

A loud group of voices called out "Fred Weasley," as a giant W streaked across the night sky.

The names went on, each with a spell of remembrance. "Vincent Crabbe…Lavender Brown…Colin Creevey…Martin Scabior."

It was their turn. Minerva lifted her wand as Flitwick, Sprout, and Slughorn did the same, together releasing a Hogwarts crest. "Severus Snape."

Everyone's eyes turned to Harry Potter, who raised his wand and released a symbol of a phoenix that glowed brightly long after he spoke. "Tom Riddle Jr."

May 3rd

The morning air was chill again, as it would likely be for several more weeks. Minerva pawed at a loose stone on the ground, flicking her tail back and forth just for the fun of it. As the sun began to rise, Minerva heard footsteps falling on the grand staircase behind her. She turned to find Dougal pulling a woolen sweater more tightly around himself, rubbing his hands together to warm them.

When Dougal spotted her, he sighed fondly and shook his head, smiling. Minerva looked at him for a long moment, until he stretched out his hand. She rose, transfiguring into her true form, then took Dougal's hand and walked on.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Author's Note: Thank you all so much for reading, commenting, and generally sticking with this story! Your kind words have meant so much to me through this process!