Chapter 24 – Epilogue

"Give me five, my love," Harry said, taking his wife in his arms and giving her a passionate kiss.

"Of course, my darling," Ginny replied, kissing her husband on the cheek. She knew this was a moment he wanted to be alone. Alone. That word held a different meaning for Harry and Ginny Potter than for everyone else, for neither was ever completely alone—a promise each made to the other at the end of a terrible war. Their bond had grown so strong over the years that they shared one another's minds completely.

"Mars bars." The gargoyle stepped aside to reveal the spiral staircase leading to the headmaster's office. Harry climbed the stairs with the agility of youth, while the text from the Daily Prophet article ran through his mind.

Harry Potter Appointed Headmaster

Harry James Potter, 58, has been appointed headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry following the death of Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. Like his mentor, the legendary Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter has never shown any interest in the office of Minister for Magic. "The New Dumbledore" has instead followed in his mentor's footsteps as headmaster following his retirement as Head Auror.

Harry Potter hardly needs an introduction. Today, he is considered the greatest wizard alive by most of the Wizarding community. He was first famous as "The-Boy-Who-Lived" since the age of fifteen months, and was tutored and trained by Albus Dumbledore during his time at Hogwarts in the years before the Second Wizarding War. During the war, Potter emerged as the leader opposing the dark wizard, Tom Riddle, aka Lord Voldemort. In the historic Battle of Hogwarts, he defeated Voldemort, having survived the killing curse for a second time.

In the year that followed, Harry Potter became an Auror and was soon after appointed the youngest Head of the Auror Office in history. He married his childhood sweetheart, Ginevra "Ginny" (Weasley), who after a successful career as a Chaser with the Holyhead Harpies, became mother to the couple's two sons and one daughter. She will join her husband on the staff as Hogwarts' flying instructor and as Head of the school's Quidditch department.

As Head of the Auror Office, Harry Potter made the dark arts nearly extinct along with his longtime friend and assistant, master strategist Ronald Weasley. Harry Potter has written several books with his friend and ally, Hermione Weasley, combining his unique practical experience with her outstanding wit. Harry Potter concludes his long career with the Ministry of Magic to lead Hogwarts and pass his wisdom to future generations of Britain's wizards and witches. The Daily Prophet would like to offer its congratulations to the Potters and wish them all the best in their new endeavours.

Harry opened the door and stepped into his office. Even after all these years, he still thought of it as Professor Dumbledore's office, and still held it in reverence after the old man. He sought out two particular paintings before anything else, his lips curling into a nostalgic smile and his eyes, still a brilliant emerald green, twinkled.

Dumbledore nodded and smiled. "Finally, Harry. I'd hoped you would return to us some day."

"Professor, there's really no position I would have considered other than that as an Auror." Harry looked at Dumbledore, who gave him an encouraging smile, and then faced professor Snape.

"Professor Snape. I trust you know my second son is named Albus Severus."

"I heard," Snape answered. "And that he has Lily's eyes." Snape looked at Harry and smiled for a moment.

Harry hadn't been in the headmaster's office for many years. He looked around and nodded to Professor McGonagall's portrait. The former headmistress nodded back with a thin smile. "So Mr Potter, you're back with us once again. I knew you couldn't stay away."

Harry had made many visits to Hogwarts to give lectures, but this was the first time he returned to the school to stay, to live, since the year following the Second Wizarding War forty years ago.

"How could I stay away from my first home," Harry replied. "I am who I am because of my time here. You had a lot to do with that, Minerva."

Professor McGonagall looked over her square spectacles at the new headmaster. "You are who you are because of you, Harry. You know that," she said with mock sternness. "We just gave you a shove in right direction."

"That's right, young man," another portrait said in a pinched tone. "Not still brooding are we, Mr Potter?"

"No Professor Nigellus," Harry replied with a chuckle. "I got over that long ago, thanks for asking."

"Really, Potter," Snape's voice half-sneered. "You need to get over something else."

"Oh? What's that, Professor," Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.

"We're colleagues. Drop the formalities."

"All right, then. I'll drop the formalities if you stop calling me Potter and start calling me Harry instead," Harry smirked.

"Don't push it...Harry," Snape said with a very-badly concealed smirk. The portraits of the other former headmasters and headmistresses who had been faking slumber all began to chuckle and snort at the exchange between Harry and his former Potions Master.

"Right...Severus." After a few moments, Harry became serious again. "I'll never forget what you did, you know. I stand by the statement I made years ago."

"I thank you," Severus said with a slight bow. "I guess I owe you my reputation."

"You don't owe me anything, Severus," Harry said, shaking his head. "I owe you my life. You made sacrifices that..."

"Spare me the sentimentality, Harry," Snape cut in. "I did what I had to do as did you and Albus and everyone else who helped to save our world. It was worth it."

"I think, for once, we agree," Harry said with a grin.

"Indeed," Snape said with a nod.

"It's about time," another portrait said with glee. "We shan't be subjected to your bickering?"

"No, Professor Dippet... er... Armando," Harry said. "No bickering... well, not much anyway. Albus?"

"Harry, as former headmasters and headmistresses, we are bound to be of as much assistance to the current headmaster as we can," Dumbledore said. "But remember that we can only answer specific questions and offer counsel on specific issues. After all, we're just paint and canvas."

"No, you're more than that," Harry said, looking around at his predecessors. "Much more than that."

He and Ginny had been married forty years just over two months ago. They'd had a rough start, rougher than any teenagers should have had. Before they could be completely happy, a prophecy had to be fulfilled. Harry had to rid their world of Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, and then his mad apprentice, Mafalda Prewett. In another ten years, Mafalda will have her first chance for permission to do magic again.

Her trial had been major news back then. The horrible Dementor's Kiss hadn't been outlawed yet and there was strong support to use the opportunity to sentence Mafalda before it was banned. Harry had been among those who had spoken openly against condemning Mafalda to the kiss. He, as Head Auror, and Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, had managed to convince the Wizengamot to snap Mafalda's wand and incur a lifetime ban from ever doing magic, but fifteen years ago, it had been decided that after fifty years, she could be re-evaluated for the possibility for the ban to be lifted.

Harry set a picture on the desk and gazed at it. His family was so precious to him. Harry and Ginny sat on a leather loveseat in a room that looked somewhat like a library. His beloved Ginny played three seasons for the Holyhead Harpies before turning in her broom for a baby blanket. Later on, she chose journalism and became the senior Quidditch correspondent for the Daily Prophet. Now she would take on the role of Flying professor and Quidditch referee at Hogwarts. She was still so beautiful, and gave him a smile that melted him. Even after all these years, she could still awaken Gryffindor's lion.

James Sirius, the eldest of the Potter children, stood at the centre behind his parents, his flaming red hair and brown eyes inherited from his mother. At Hogwarts, he played Chaser for Gryffindor like his paternal grandfather, but he joined the national team as a Seeker like his father, and was now coaching. In school, he was a prankster like his brother. Ginny had told them stories about her own brothers, Fred and George, and their exploits at school. James was all too eager to work at the Diagon Alley shop with his Uncle George, coming away with pocketfuls of new jokes to drive Professor McGonagall mad. Always the athlete, though, he was very fit and had won the World Cup three times as a player and once, so far, as a coach. At the age of thirty-six, he was the most available, and certainly the most hopeless bachelor in the country. He exuded the Weasley charm, also a gift from his mother, and used it to play the field. Finnegan's had a very bad influence on you, boy, but James and Sirius would be proud.

Albus Severus, second of the Potter children, stood to his brother's right. He bore an uncanny resemblance to Harry himself, complete with messy black hair, emerald green eyes, and poor eyesight—but mercifully, scarless. He'd even inherited the habit of messing up his hair when he was up to mischief. Al was a fun-loving boy who loved Quidditch and played with his brother and sister on the Gryffindor team as Seeker, like his father. He and James pranked their way through school, earning both of them their share of time in detention, but Al's reputation for fairness and tolerance earned him the respect of his classmates and professors. As a man, those qualities earned him the respect of the entire Wizarding community and he eventually took his place on the Wizengamot. His opinion was so valued that he was able to help push through a lot of legislation authored by his Aunt Hermione in the RCMC. He was married and had given Harry and Ginny their first grandchild. Yes, Potter, he can be trusted with it.

Lily Luna, the youngest of the Potter children, stood to James' left. She was all Weasley, as stunningly beautiful as her mother, but with sapphire blue eyes instead of chocolate brown. She had to be tough like Ginny, too, growing up with two older brothers and Teddy Lupin, who was several years older than the Potter children. She was a good student and a talented witch, having inherited some of her father's talents, but her mother's disposition. Ginny had made sure her daughter could protect herself and taught her the infamous Bat-Bogey hex, despite she wasn't a Weasley, which Lily used with relish. She was athletic like her heroic oldest brother, James, but more studious like Al. She played with her brothers on the Gryffindor Quidditch team as a Chaser, but unlike her mother, had no desire to make a career of it. Lily worshipped her father, though, and from a very young age, declared that she would become an Auror. "I'm going to wipe the floor with dark magic, Daddy," she would say. "I'll make you proud of me!" Now, as a Senior Auror, she would very likely take her place as Assistant Head of the Auror Office under "Irish" Finnegan. That's my girl, my princess.

Ted Lupin, his and Ginny's godson, stood to Lily's right. He was tall like Remus and had light brown eyes and hair. To Harry and Ginny, he was as much a son to them as James or Albus, and they loved him equally as much. He was a Metamorphmagus like his mother, Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin, and loved to display his hair in his favourite colour, turquoise blue. At his surrogate mother's request, he agreed to maintain Remus' hair colour, but stuck in a little shock of turquoise in the front just before the picture had been snapped. Harry remembered Ginny had initially been livid, but he talked her down in the end. It's just part of who Teddy was. He had been on a brief visit to England when the picture had been taken, only to return to his and Victoire's home in Lyon, France a few hours later.

Next to the Potter family photo was the Ron Weasley family photo. Ron held his dear Hermione close. He still can't keep his hands off her. Ron, Harry's best friend, brother, and fellow Auror, had saved his life more times than he could count, and he had returned the favour as often. Ron had to hang up his maroon Auror's robes a couple of years before Harry because of a shattered pelvis resulting from a nasty motorcycle crash with a drunken Muggle driver some years ago. The Healers had been able to patch him up well enough, but the damage was done. He walked with a slight limp ever since, but was still an able Auror and Assistant Head. Now Ron lived in early retirement, enjoying it just a little bit too much, judging by his new paunch. Maybe I'll need a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Who better than Ron?

Hermione was still the brightest witch he ever had known, having had a remarkable career with the Ministry. After improving rights for magical creatures with the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, she had transferred to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as an assistant to their mutual father-in-law. By the time Arthur retired, Hermione had taken over as Head of that department.

The Golden Trio, as they were called, ran the DMLE and worked the Auror Office for a long time, making the Wizarding community more stable and safe than at any other time in history. They won many awards and accolades for their work, through Hermione's brilliant use of logic coupled with Ron's strategic genius and Harry's fierce determination. Of course, when Harry called on her, Hermione gladly accepted the position as Head of Gryffindor House and Professor of Ancient Runes, leaving Cho as Head of Magical Law Enforcement. Thanks, Hermione. You're the best.

Their two children, Rose and Hugo, stood on either side of their parents with their hands on their shoulders. They were, in looks and in essence, their father's children. Hugo, though, was studious like Hermione and hoped to be Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts after his career as a high-powered Hit-wizard with the DMLE. Both were able Quidditch players and joined their Potter cousins on the Gryffindor team as Beaters, following in their uncles' footsteps. Both were now married with children of their own, some of whom currently attend Hogwarts with their second cousins. Harry chuckled and shook his head. Merlin help us all. This school will once again be overrun with Weasleys.

Another photo showed his wife's parents, the only parents Harry ever really knew—Arthur and Molly Weasley. Harry had called them Mum and Dad for decades, although at work, Harry called him Mr Weasley, since Arthur was his supervisor at the Ministry. Both he and Molly were crowding 100 years old, now, and lived happily in retirement at the Burrow. Arthur still tinkered and mucked about with Muggle artifacts like never before, despite Molly's protests. She still swore he would blow himself and that shed to smithereens one day.

On the other side of the Potter family photo stood a wedding picture that was not his own. The bride and groom were his own parents, James and Lily Evans Potter, standing with their friend and Harry's godfather, Sirius Black. Whenever Harry examined this particular photograph, he couldn't help but touch his fingers to his lips, kiss them, and then press them to the faces in the frame. He did this now and whispered "I love you. I miss you."

He wiped his eyes and let them travel to a very large landscape photograph that hung in a gilded frame above the fireplace. The Weasley assemblage, some thirty or so strong, smiled and waved. It had been taken at Molly's and Arthur's fiftieth wedding anniversary bash twenty years ago. Arthur and Molly sat front and center, flanked by Ginny and Hermione, their children at their feet, with all the brothers standing behind them. Bill stood behind them at center, flanked on either side by a still-unmarried Charlie and Percy, then George and Ron and Harry. Fleur, Audrey, and Angelina sat on the ground with their respective children, including the newly-engaged Teddy and Victoire. All but Teddy and Victoire were still in school back then, and a couple of them, like his Lily, had only just started. Where did it all go?

Harry gazed out the window at Hagrid's hut. Harry was glad his old friend and former Gamekeeper still lived on the Hogwarts grounds. Hagrid still held the keys to the gate, the last of his responsibilities, and the old half-Giant, now one-hundred- ten years old, claimed they would have to pry the keys from his cold dead fingers before he'd relinquish the them to the current Gamekeeper. It often fell to Neville Longbottom, Harry's old friend and Hogwarts' current Herbology professor, to keep the peace between Hagrid and his successor. Note to self: if possible, duplicate gate keys. Harry and Ginny had decided to keep their beloved house in Ottery-St Catchpole, but would live at Hogwarts during the school-year.

Harry's office door opened. Harry didn't need to look up, he knew it was Ginny. "Art thou well, love," she asked.

"Yea, but 'tis rather emotional, for it shall be some time before I can ever think of this office as mine own," Harry said looking up at the portrait of his mentor. "But it is wondrous well to be back at Hogwarts. After all, it is the first true home I ever knew."

Ginny smiled. "Love, we must hie to the Great Hall."

"It is the appointed time?" Harry made a slight bow and offered his arm to his wife. "Milady, I offer thee mine arm and my wand. Wouldst thou grant me the honour of escorting thee to the feast?"

"Yea, Good Sir Knight," Ginny said with a slight curtsy. "Tonight and every night. Forever."

Together they headed downstairs, each lost in his or her thoughts as they passed their love and nostalgia through their bond. They entered the Great Hall together and all conversation stopped. Students were still coming in and taking their seats at their house tables. Harry could see Hermione had a handle on the first-years, waiting to lead them into the hall to be sorted. While he and Ginny made their way toward the Head table he heard whispers among the students.

"That's Professor Potter! He's the greatest wizard alive."

"Did you know that Professor Potter can do almost any magic wandlessly?"

"I heard he stunned three fully-grown Trolls. Aren't they supposed to be quite resistant to magic?"

"He's still quite handsome, isn't he?"

"Look, that's Mrs Potter! There's nothing worth knowing about Quidditch that she doesn't know."

"Yeah. I heard she's going to be the flying instructor this year and she's going to referee all the House matches!"

"They're so in love, can't you tell?"

Finally, they reached the Headmaster's place at the table. Harry helped Ginny to the seat at his right hand and then sat down himself and surveyed the student body, his eyes pausing at the Gryffindor table. Harry smiled and whispered to his beloved wife. "Gin, It's great to be home."

"Yes, Harry. It is great to be home," she said, tears forming in her eyes. "I love you so... Gorgeous Guy."

"I love you too... Gorgeous Girl," Harry said, kissing her hand. Harry gazed into her eyes for a few moments and then called, "Professor Weasley, if you please."

Harry blinked back a few tears as the great oak and iron doors swept open and Hermione led in the first-years. Another academic year was about to begin at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

FINIS / THE END / SLUT

A/N Ok, that's it. The end of Harry Potter and the Death Eaters Quest.

FYI the "slut" in the finishing line has nothing to do with a promiscuous woman. It's Swedish for "The End"

It has been quite a journey for me, being the first novel length project I've ever written in English. I hope you have enjoyed this story. My intention has been to stay true to known JKR canon and "fill the gaps".

The story has dealt with love more than anything else, and the love between Harry and Ginny most of all. JKR left us with many questions after DH and all the Harry Potter books are basically about love. Professor Dumbledore tells Harry this already during his first year. Love is what defeats Voldemort in the end. I couldn't think of any other main theme for my "Book 8" than love.

It was also Harry's and Ginny's relationship I wanted to focus on. Their love seemed the most interesting to develop because it's so strong. I also needed a new bad guy, and it turned out to be a "bad gal". Thanks to Harry Potter wiki I found Mafalda, a JKR character never used in the books. She turned out to be ideal.

For those of you who enjoyed this story, I will write more. I'm working with Ghost Chicken (siledubhghlase) who helps me with language and editing. There have been extended versions of this story posted as the edit progressed.

There is a sequel to this story, "Harry Potter and the Right of Justice", taking up the story in the summer of 1999. That story will be posted as the chapters are finished.

Thank you for reading and I hope you posted a review.