Chapter Eighteen: The Aftermath:

It was an interesting time after Voldemort was finally dead. It was over, the war was over and all there was left was some clean up of his followers. I found Harry seated with Draco and Luna outside the school seated with his head up against Ginny Weasley who was comforting him. At least I hoped that was what was going on, they were teens and could get into trouble and I could not let that happen. Luna Lovegood was getting closer to Draco, they were opposites to be true but it was clear that they actually went well together despite this. Draco defended her even when she had some strange things to say and I wondered if they would get together.

"Professor!" Harry said smiling up at me.

"Hello Harry, Draco, Luna, Ginny," I replied, "a lovely day is it not?"

"Yes, but I wish people would stop calling me savior." Harry grumbled, "I was helped in what I did and the only Savior died and rose long ago from the dead and lives still. I did what I had to but am no hero or savior."

"Well you did what none other could." Draco said, "had to be you for some reason."

"Oh yes, God chose him, though the nargles do get to him now and then he can fight them off" Luna replied.

"Yea, there is that Luna." Draco said smiling at her.

"So you can come stay with me this summer." Harry said to Draco, "don't mind Sirius, he will do anything I want."

"I will?" The insane Animagmus said walking up, "what makes you say that?"

"Please?" Harry said giving his best puppy dog look.

"That is not fair, you do that and I can't say no." Sirius said, "but I was going to ask Draco if he wanted to stay anyway, I don't mind at all."

"Thank you." Draco replied.

"You do have to try to be nice to Ron, he is my best friend you know." Harry said.

"I know the feud between the Weasleys and the Malfoys needs to end, which reminds me, Oi Red want to date me?" Draco said to Ginny.

"When hell freezes over ferret." Ginny shot back, "I have standards and dating you would only make me look badly."

"Ouch that had to have hurt." Sirius said, "oh well I think there is no chance for you Draco, no for Harry there is, past five generations Potters have had a weakness for red hair."

I had to head back to school to get ready to leave, I would be back to teach the next year, the curse all gone on the defense job. I loved teaching here, it was fun, the children wanted to learn and liked me as well. I was fair but strict and even Severus liked me, he found I was not just a ministry stooge and wanted to teach. I headed into the school and up the stairs and came up short. Severus was glaring at a young man I swore had to be a de-aged Albus Dumbledore. But as I looked I could see the difference, for one Albus would never dress in muggle jeans, or a tee shirt with lemon drop on it (well that he might), or a brown leather jacket. He would not tie his hair back nor would his beard be neatly trimmed, he had freckles scattered over his nose and his hair and beard were a deep red, his eyes were blue and did twinkle though.

"This annoyance is related to the headmaster, from America." Severus said as way of introduction.

"Brian Dumbledore, uncle Albus is my great grand uncle, my great grandfather came over to the states in the early twenties, had a few kids, my one of whom is my grandfather who was born in 1927, then my dad came along in 1946 and me in 1968. First time I ever came over, now that your dark lord is gone I feel it is safe for me to be here."

"And he annoys me." Severus muttered.

"Well all I said is potions is like cooking!" Brian said.

"It is not! It is far more detailed and nothing like cooking!" Severus snarled.

"Take the stick out Severus, I am only teasing." Brian said grinning, "friends?"

"I could poison you." Severus said silkily.

"As if you would." Brian said, "grand uncle wanted you to show me the school."

"Probably did not want to unleash an uncivilized American on anyone else, or he is trying to annoy me, though he does that enough." Severus said.

"He always like this?" Brian asked.

"He is in a very good mood." I replied, "trust me, if he is angry you will know, no this is his happy state."

"I am not happy, I am never happy." Severus snapped.

"Yes you are, when you make first years cry." I shot back.

I decided to join the tour, if only to get Severus to behave, and that was a full time job let me tell you. I liked him, I truly did, but he had a way to get himself into trouble with just words, and that was saying something as the English have an art with sarcasm that most Americans don't get, accept me. My friends in my past life knew me well and would tell others I was not being mean, it was sarcasm in its highest form. Still, this is Severus Snape we are taking about, the man who can get a first year to cry just with words alone. Brian started to like him, and by the end of the tour they were fast friends.

"So about this Harry kid, he really take out your dark lord with a higher power?" Brian asked.

"Yes, he did, though some idiots still see him using a higher magic, much like those who believe Merlin used magic to destroy slave magic that bound much of the magical and muggle world in slavery. It is still doing it's work today and I believe miss Granger has felt it and will find a way to fully free the house elves."

"Ah yes, our Brownie buddies." Brian said and at a pointed look from Severus, "they are not related to elves in any way, so why call them that? They are a kind of fae in fact, a good kind, like the Veela, not the other murdering changeling kinds. They are not slaves in America because of law, not fully because that its what they want. Still they wear uniforms, get paid and get sick time off and the right to leave an abusive family, they are not allowed to punish themselves nor can another demand they do. Still it will be a long road with them."

"I wonder what really made them they way they are?" I asked.

"Who knows, really, all we know is they were wild before Helga Hufflepuff gave them a home and they are such good little creatures too, I have a fondness for them." Brian replied. "So Harry Potter used a higher power, must be tied to his mom, has to be, she gave her life for her son to live and thrive, and God rewarded her by making sure that happened."

"I can see that, however he is still a brat, a selfless caring but annoying brat!" Severus said, "who should not listen into conversations that do not apply to him!"

"Cloak now Harry." I said and was rewarded with him removing the cloak and looking at me sheepishly, "why are you eavesdropping?"

"I wasn't really, I mean I just wanted some peace and quiet, the minister wanted to see me." Harry said, "and I didn't want to see him, not now, I don't like him much. I did not think anyone was going to be up here today."

"Very well, just don't get into trouble with that, I will know and I will take it away." I replied.

"Yes gran." Harry said cheekily.

"Oh Brian Dumbledore, this is Harry Potter, Harry Potter this is Brian Dumbledore the headmaster's great grand nephew."

"Pleased to meet you sir." Harry said.

"Likewise, don't blame you for wanting to hide, I could teach you some charms to help with that." Brian said.

"That would be brilliant sir!" Harry said.

"Call me Brian, I could show you now if you like."

Once more Harry made a new friend, it was easy for him, he was a likeable fellow. His years with his aunt had not damped his spirit, he refused to let the bad things in life crush him. He showed me what it was like to truly live and to enjoy life, he knew he could have had it far, far worse. He had told me tales of kids who came to school bruised up and in rags, he at least had two new school uniforms a year and three times a day he was allowed to eat. I still was not happy he was kept in a cupboard growing up nor that his cousin was a bully and would have turned to a complete waste of space if I had not made sure he ended up on the right track. Harry was an example of the kind of person that I wanted to be for sure, and he inspired many people around him.

School would be out in a few days and I looked forward to a quiet summer. I had grown used to being an evil hag who I had turned around for the better. Doloris Umbridge, the real one would never again be able to hurt another. I was glad for that, I knew there was going to be rebuilding and I would be part of it, I would teach and help as much as I could, that is if I was to stay here for life. For the first time in months I thought of my past life, I missed it but I was not sure if I would fit in if I did end up back there. I liked it here, I liked the people and I really liked, no loved Harry as if he were my own. I did not want to leave him not when he was as good as my child. As I packed I wondered what the future was to bring for me and realized that answer could wait. To quote a famous character tomorrow was another day, or something like that.

O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O

So there is that, a nice way to round up everything after the battle. Yes Harry was helped and he knows it, and more of my personal believes here come through. If Harry were real he would be a walking living breathing miracle, there is no two ways about that. He was not suppose to survive, not really, so that leaves a miracle.

Anyway do review please!