A/N: This is it. The end. I would apologize for my year of absence in this storyline but I can only write if I know what to write. Therefore, this is the final chapter. I may write more stories to follow the plot of this one but as for now, I am putting this on the shelf. Enjoy.

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They had reached Albus Dumbledore's office. Severus faintly recalled his having never stopped referring to the office space as such. It was Dumbledore's. He tapped his wand against the stone wall. Immediately, the wall shifted, stone steps appearing in a circular movement. Lithely, he stepped onto the stairs, holding his hand out for Minerva so she could do the same. She threw him a look but complied, taking his proffered hand. What she had not counted upon was his not letting her go. The two professors walked the length of the moving stairs, coming to a stop at the double, wooden doors of Dumbledore's office. Minerva reached up a tentative hand to move the knocker but fell short as a light voice beckoned them in.

Albus Dumbledore's mighty portrait sat in the Headmaster's office, its frame vast and centered among the other Headmasters of Hogwarts' past.

"My dear, though common courtesy is much appreciated, I am in fact not in the position to need it." Albus said to Minerva.

She shook her head, "Regardless of your position, Albus, you deserve it."

"Oh, I daresay I do but I am in fact deceased, Minerva. And we all know one shouldn't 'knock the dead.'" Albus chuckled to himself

Minerva fought an urge to roll her eyes. She was spared the urge, however, as Albus turned to Severus.

"You did well, Severus." Albus said his voice serious.

"Thank you, Albus. I think I will enjoy the rest from this endeavor though."

"Indeed!" piped Albus. His smile faded once more, "I am sorry to say that it will take a while for the wizarding world to accept you. As far as the majority of the public knows, you are the Death Eater responsible for my death. It won't be easy to convince them otherwise. However, with much perseverance and, I'm sure, some help from Mr. Potter here, you should have you infamous nature reversed in no time."

Severus and Minerva shot looks of surprise at the trio of former students standing quietly in the room. They had not noticed them. Severus moved closer to Minerva, knowing full well that as Harry had seen him murder Albus, the boy might very well act in the rash manner he preferred. There was no way Severus was letting Minerva catch a backlash of Potter's anger.

He was disappointed. Harry did not look mad or angry or even irritated. He looked… tired. There was no other word for it. The boy was tired. And, Severus admitted to himself, it made sense. Defeating the most powerful Dark Lord in the world would surely drain one's energy.

Noting the peculiar expression on Harry's face hiding beneath the exhaustion, Severus realized the potter boy had to have seen the memories. Sever had bestowed them upon him in case the antidote did not take. He had been right in doing so, apparently. Having an… ally such as a world famous wizard-even in he was hardly pubescent- would undoubtedly help him to gain a footing back in life.

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Minerva watched the two men survey each other. Severus was coming around. She recognized his calculating look. Much as he would undoubtedly hate the idea of a congenial relationship with Harry Potter, she knew he would see the logical benefits behind it. Besides, Harry knew Severus' life now. Much as it had stung to hear of his residual feelings for Lily Potter, she understood them. It was hard to let go of someone you love. They more often than not stay with you forever, no matter how many others you love after them.

Harry walked up to Severus, his steps heavy with exhaustion. He placed a small, glass vial into the professor's hand. "I am sorry for what you had to go through," Harry said. "I didn't want you to have to do any of this, regardless of our disagreements or your involvement in my parent's death. You didn't deserve it, any of it. But, thank you. Without your help, Voldemort would not be dead and I hope you are willing to realize that." Harry turned, next to Dumbledore's portrait. "If you will excuse me, sir. I have a Gryffindor Dormitory that is calling my name." Harry nodded to each adult in turn and then headed down the stairs, out of Dumbledore's office.

Ron looked a bit panicked. He, unlike Harry, was unaccustomed to sitting in an office full of professors. He waved awkwardly before, too, disappearing down the spiraling stairs.

Hermione had not stopped looking at Dumbledore. He smiled warmly at her, "May I help you with something, Miss Granger."

"I-I just wanted to thank you." She said finally.

"Thank me?" The idea seemed to strike him as funny. "You, my dear, are the one to be thanked! You three saved the wizarding world! I merely sat here and made Severus run chores for me."

Hermione blushed and shook her head, "No, sir, I mean for the book. You left me the Ancient Runes book in your will." Albus nodded, beaming at her. "I do know it was to help us learn about the hallows but I just wanted you to know I enjoyed that book very much so, thank you."

"You're very welcome, Miss Granger. Now, I would suggest you go see Mr. Weasley as he is undoubtedly lost without you." Hermione blushed deeply again but nodded and headed down the stairs.

"Now, Minerva, I am sure you have your questions to ask me." Albus spoke again.

Minerva was startled a bit, having been watching the exchange between Hermione and Albus. All at once the anger and worry and hurt and shock rushed back to her. A scowl appeared on her face as she began pacing and shaking her head.

"How could you, Albus? I mean, with everything you know, you caused your own death? With a ring! How hard is it to guess that if an enchanted ring belonged to Voldemort, you should not wear it! I would think it would be common sense! But, no. Not if you can pull it off; the greatest wizard of our or any other age manages to 'off himself' with a cursed ring!" Minerva's voice was filled with Scottish brogue. With each sharp word, she sank deeper and deeper into her anger, lashing out with every thought and hurt in her. "And how could you not tell me about this whole toxic mess thing you planned? Surely you realized how hurt I would be at your death, at his betrayal. I was a wreck. I was broken. I was—"

"Forgive me the interruption, Minerva but you, of all the witches I have ever known, cannot break. You are stoic. Enough so, in fact, that I felt it necessary and safe to not tell you. I knew you would not do anything drastic. I knew you would overcome your presumptions once you learned the truth. You are brilliant in the sort that you can admit your mistake and change courses of your opinions. You were the most able to take the misguided information. You led the students and the Order and the faculty. You were a necessary fixture for the leadership of our army against Voldemort's forces. You led them as a true Gryffindor, a true lioness if I might say."

Minerva stopped pacing. She glared at her best friend. It was hard to be raging with anger when faced with logic and such compliments as Albus had just bestowed upon her. She finally, gave up, sighing deeply. It was useless. As exasperating as Albus could be, he would never let her be angry with him for long.

Albus beamed in triumph.

Severus placed a hand on the small of Minerva's back. "I think it is about time we helped the others with the castle. They will need all they can get." He said softly.

Minerva nodded. It would take a long time and what with all the injured, they would need to contact St. Mungo's. They would have to get the Auror's office down to round up any other Death Eaters and then, finally came the renovations. She had no doubt the castle was a wreck.

As she looked from Severus to Albus to the grounds of Hogwarts through an office window, Minerva came to realize something: it was going to be alright. Any of the trials they would face would be all in the light of the end of the supposed end. The after thoughts thereafter would indeed be thought after and only after; after happily ever after. For now, she was home. For now, they would go on.

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A/N 2: If that paragraph took a few times through of reading it before you understood it, don't worry. It took that long to write it correctly. Well, I hope you liked it. I chose to have it ebb away in an ending rather than lead you on by attempting to write several more chapters every once in a while.

On a lighter note: I do have sequel ideas: the rehabilitation of Hogwarts, the social issues of Severus and more on the recovery of the wizarding world but that will safely wait until there is interest or I write all the chapters and them post one every other day. I dunno. That is for later to worry about. For now, Review!