When Albus Dumbledore defeated Gellert Grindelwald in what the history books referred to as one of the Greatest Duels In History, his one-time best friend and lover gave him one message.
"Don't let the Elder Wand control you," Gellert had said, "You'll end up like me."
Until now, Albus never knew what Gellert meant. Now he understood. The Elder Wand was a distraction. An obsession. It made him arrogant, believing that he was more powerful than he truly was. True, he was a brilliant wizard and a strong duelist. But the Elder Wand made him feel invincible!
He should have predicted what had happened outside of the Lord's Quarters. He should have seen it coming! He had felt vulnerable these past few days, more vulnerable than he had ever felt in his life – especially since he became in possession of the Elder Wand. Obviously the Elder Wand had decided he did not deserve its power. So it had chosen a new owner – Harry Potter, a descendant of the Peverell brothers, the rightful owner of the wand. Come to think of it, didn't his run of bad luck, defiance and vulnerability begin in the same time period that Harry Potter met with Ragnok at Gringotts? Obviously it all began because Potter had taken on the title of Lord Peverell. The Wand had known who its true owner was the moment Potter received his title.
The question was this: how did Potter know about the Elder Wand? Even more important, how did he know Albus owned the wand?! The answer was simple, wasn't it? Hermione Granger must have helped him. Likely, she had read the Tale of the Three Brothers before and had put together the clues, including the fact that Albus was the latest owner of the Elder Wand. She had to have bought the book from Flourish and Blott's, or the bookstore in Hogsmeade. Albus had removed all editions of The Tales of Beedle The Bardfrom the Hogwarts Library so that nobody would read 'The Tale of the Three Brothers' and make the connection that Albus owned the Elder Wand. He had even gotten to the point of Obliviating all students who had asked Madam Pince for that book.
Now that Albus was no longer in control of the Elder Wand, his outlook on the future seemed to become more clear. Arrogance and pride was swapped out for focus and clear-thinking.
He had placed too much focus on Harry Potter. If he tread down that path any longer, the boy would likely be a student at Beauxbatons come September 1st, and all of his plans would go out the window. So he needed to take his focus off of Potter for now.
For now, Albus would focus on the Triwizard Tournament. Thanks to Cornelius Fudge's pardon, Albus was free to leave Hogwarts. This was a good thing, of course, since he had numerous meetings planned during the coming weeks and months with several people regarding the Tournament.
Yes, that was the best idea, Albus knew. Turn the focus away from Potter and Granger, and keep it on the Triwizard Tournament. He would leave Potter and Granger alone for now. At least until the moment where Potter had no choice but to stay at Hogwarts or risk his very life. Then the path to the Greater Good would become much smoother.
Albus sighed, popped a lemon drop in his mouth, and stood up. He crossed the room to Armando Dippet's portrait. Armando gave him a knowing smile, and his portrait swung open to reveal a safe behind it. Albus opened it up and took out a long narrow box. He returned to his desk and opened it up.
Inside was another wand. His first wand he hadn't used for decades. He tested it in his hand, and smiled.
"Hello, old friend," he said, "It has been a very long time."
Later that evening, Harry and Hermione lay together on the couch in front of the fireplace, in the Common Room of the Living Quarters. Harry was propped up against a couch pillow, laying lengthways on the couch, whilst Hermione was laying in his lap. Crookshanks was laying in a nearby chair, staring at Harry and Hermione; Harry still wasn't quite sure how the cat felt about him being Hermione's boyfriend. Tonks was in her room, having kept her promise to give Harry and Hermione their privacy during such times like this. Tonks had informed them that she would write a few letters to family and friends, before going to bed for the night.
As Harry lay there, staring at the crackling fire in the hearth, he thought back to earlier that day. After he had destroyed the Horcrux in Slytherin's ring, he had placed the Elder Wand and the Resurrection Stone in the bottom of his school trunk. Later, he had Tonks place some protective enchantments on the trunk to keep any untrustworthy people out of his trunk. Tonks also checked the bathrooms and bedrooms for listening charms and other enchantments, and was happy report that there were none.
That afternoon, while Hermione was taking a bath in Harry's bathroom, Harry wrote a letter to Sirius which he would later send out with Hedwig before going to dinner that evening. Realizing that there was always a risk of someone like Dumbledore intercepting his letters, Harry decided he would put off talking about important stuff – such as much of Amelia's meeting and what happened in the Chamber until he was face-to-face with Sirius. He did write about his discussion with Amelia when it came to Sirius. He also mentioned that he and Hermione would be witnesses at the trial. He talked about how he would be staying with Hermione for the first two weeks of summer, but also about his desires to visit his family residences, including Potter Manor and the beach house in La Rochelle, France. He also spoke of Dumbledore and how the man had been pestering him, as well as his and Hermione's threats to leave England if Dumbledore tread too far. He would discuss his other fears and discoveries about Dumbledore when he and Hermione revealed their secrets.
After finishing the letter, he started reading through what he had assumed was Salazar Slytherin's first journal. The entries read like a novel. Slytherin talked about his early childhood, growing up in Spain – five-hundred years before the country would be founded by Muggles and named Spain. In his journal, Salazar spoke of his father, an abusive man that sounded – if possible – worse than Vernon Dursley.
Salazar was not an only child – he had a sister, though she died before she reached her teenage years in a house-fire that also took his mother. Salazar would later discover that the fire was intentionally set by his father. Apparently Salazar was meant to be a victim too. Five years after the fire, Salazar tracked down his father and murdered him in a duel. Apparently Salazar's father was an expert duelist, but Salazar had spent those previous five years training himself to also become an expert duelist. Salazar had described every detail of the battle. Harry was quite surprised there was little to no arrogance in his descriptions of the battle. Salazar had actually written that he had survived the battle, killing his father, more due to luck rather than skill. He had been outmatched by his father and still won the duel.
After her bath, Harry told Hermione about what he had discovered. Hermione was quite impressed and excited.
"This is amazing history!" Hermione had said, "I don't even think there are history books that know about a lot of that information! To think, the duel between Salazar and his father could go down in the history books as one of the greatest in recorded history. In the same book as Dumbledore and Grindelwald!"
While the journal didn't exactly say it, Harry could read between the lines. It was the death of his sister and mother, and the death of his father by his own hands that had turned Salazar Slytherin into the famous Dark wizard he was known as today.
Admittedly, even though the journal told a great story, it also nearly made Harry sick to his stomach. He decided to put off reading the rest of the journals until later in the summer. Then he realized... more likely than not, when the Horcrux was removed from his scar, he would no longer have the ability to speak or read the Parsel language.
Harry had also discussed this with Hermione.
"While there is a very great possibility that you know Parseltongue because of what Voldemort did to you," Hermione had said, "There is also a miniscule chance that the ability comes from your Peverell or Black roots. I think we would have known whether your father was a Parselmouth, and his father before him. So maybe it is a dormant ability from deep in the Black side of the family. The Blacks were always seen as a dominant Dark family."
"Sirius, Regulus, Tonks' Mum, and my Grandmother the exceptions," Harry said, with a nod. "So... basically all I have to do is look at one of Slytherin's journals after the Horcrux is removed, and see if I can still read the language."
"Precisely," Hermione said.
"Is it bad that I hope I still have the ability?" Harry asked, "I could use it in the first task against the Dragon. Ragnok did say it was useful against them."
"No, it isn't bad," Hermione said, "I completely understand why you want to keep the ability. It is very useful after all, even though it is lax on universal appreciation."
That evening at dinner, both Luna and Colin sat with Harry and Hermione at the Gryffindor table. Colin said the pictures weren't ready just yet, but they would be by breakfast the following morning. Then, during dinner, Luna discussed the new article about the Basilisk she was writing for the Quibbler, and asked Harry a few questions about it. The discussion about the battle between Harry and the Basilisk had attracted a few listeners, and soon enough Harry found himself retelling the whole story, whilst Luna wrote it all down on a notepad of parchment.
There were several people who obviously doubted Harry, but most – while shocked and surprised – believed Harry to be telling the truth. Those who doubted Harry – mostly Slytherins who had heard the story through others – mostly did so because Harry had told everyone about Tom Riddle being Voldemort, and also being a half-blood with a Squib mother and Muggle father. After dinner, Draco Malfoy had confronted Harry and said his usual "I will tell my father about this!" rubbish.
"Tell your father about the entire thing!" Harry had said to Draco, "I'd love to see his face when he realizes he was kissing the boots of a half-blood. Doesn't he usually think half-bloods are below him?"
Draco looked as if he was going to throw a curse at Harry, then he stopped. He seemed to recall that Snape wasn't around to save his skin, and that Tonks – an older, more experienced duelist, and an Auror Cadet, was nearby. So he gave his usual sneer and walked away. Harry wasn't sure whether or not Draco would keep his promise. Harry also wondered if he would see the story about Tom Riddle/Voldemort being a half-blood in the Daily Prophet tomorrow morning.
"Harry?" Hermione asked, "Harry!"
Harry shook from his reverie and turned from the fireplace and looked at Hermione, who had turned around so that she was facing him. She was now laying on her front on top of him. The way her chest was pressed against his gave him a few funny feelings in various parts of his body, which he hoped she hadn't noticed.
"Yes?" Harry asked.
"I've been trying to get your attention for two minutes now," Hermione said.
"Sorry," Harry said, "I was thinking about everything that happened today. What time is it?"
"A bit after ten-o-clock," Hermione said, "I think Tonks is finally asleep."
"Oh," Harry said, "Do you want to go to bed?"
He did his best to resist asking her if she wanted to go bed with him. He was surprised he succeeded, from the way his body seemed to be reacting to certain things.
"I'd love to," Hermione said, "But... I think that will have to wait."
"Oh? Why?" Harry asked, his voice a little hoarse; he wondered what she was up to, and his brain was starting to picture some very nice ideas that usually were only took place in his dreams.
"We need to go to the Room of Requirement," Hermione said, "and retrieve the Diadem."
Harry snapped back into reality. "Tonight?"
"Yes, Harry, tonight!" Hermione said, "Tonks will likely be with us every moment she is awake and we're not in these Quarters. So unless you want to tell her exactly what we're doing, before you tell Sirius and Remus – because a conversation about Horcruxes will lead to that other conversation – we need to do this tonight."
"Oh, well, alright," Harry said; Hermione moved off of Harry and Harry sat up. "Should we use the Invisibility Cloak or Disillusionment Charms?"
"Disillusionment Charms," Hermione said.
"Alright," Harry said, "I'll be right back. I need to grab the Marauder's Map."
He stood from the couch, walked across the room and entered his bedroom. He knelt by his trunk at the end of his bed, opened it and pulled out the Marauder's Map. Deciding he could destroy the Horcrux in the Room of Requirement as easy as he could destroy it in the Lord's Quarters, he picked up a Basilisk fang, and put it in his pocket. He then heard a soft whisper nearby, and jerked his around toward the door of his bedroom, thinking Hermione had spoken to him. But she wasn't there. Harry shrugged, closed the trunk, then walked out of the bedroom.
"Harry?" Hermione asked, looking at him, "I said we were going to use Disillusionment Charms. Why did you bring your Cloak?"
Harry looked down at his hands. In one hand he was holding the Marauder's Map; in the other, he was holding the Invisibility Cloak. He stared at it, trying to recall when he had taken it from his trunk.
"Er... force of habit?" Harry asked.
"Do me a favor, Harry," Hermione said, "Check if you have the Elder Wand and the Resurrection Stone on your person?"
Harry stared at Hermione, questioningly, and she returned the stare with a 'just do it' expression. Harry sighed and checked his clothes.
"Nothing," Harry said, "They're in the very bottom of my trunk, where I left them. Why –?"
"I know you took the Invisibility Cloak without thinking about it," Hermione said, "I think it has to do something with the Hallows wanting you to use them."
Harry winced. Hermione usually knew what she was talking to, and like nearly everything else she had ever said, it was easy to believe her this time as well.
"Well... should I just go put the Cloak away then?" he asked.
"We're wasting enough time as it is," Hermione said, "Just put it in your pocket. Now, I am going to place Disillusionment Charms on both of us. Like the other times we've used it, we'll be able to see each other, but no one will be able to see us. However, I can't put the Charm on the map, because it might interfere with the other enchantments. So you need to be careful with it. If you see anyone coming in our direction, put it in your pocket."
"Why can't we use the Time Turner?" Harry asked. "Then we won't risk Tonks waking up and noticing we're gone."
"Remember what Professor McGonagall said about Time Turners becoming fragile after many uses?" Hermione asked, "I don't want to risk anything happening to it. We need to let it rest for a while, especially if you want to still go ahead with your Death Eater assassination plans."
"It is necessary," Harry said.
"Then we will refrain from using the Time Turner until it too becomes necessary," Hermione said.
Harry nodded. Hermione tapped her wand on his head and he felt the familiar feeling of egg yolk running down the back of his head. Hermione tapped her wand on her head and she vanished for a moment before reappearing. Harry spoke the password to the map and looked at it.
"Filch and Mrs. Norris are in the dungeons," Harry said, "Nobody else is in the corridors."
"Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.
"In his office," Harry said, looking at the footsteps going back and forth in Dumbledore's office, "Apparently he is pacing."
"Probably muttering about you defying him or something," Hermione said, "Come on. We need to go now. Especially since we have to go up the Grand Staircase. We're no longer on the seventh floor, remember?"
Harry nodded, and he and Hermione left the Lord's Quarters.
"Who's there?" Rapunzel asked, "Harry? Hermione? Is that you? I can't see you."
"Shh!" Hermione said, "We're invisible. We'll be back soon."
"Don't stay out too late," Rapunzel said, "I'm going to bed soon."
"We promise," Harry said.
He took Hermione's hand and they started off though the corridors. Every now and then, Harry would glance at the Marauder's Map to make sure their path was clear. Ten minutes later they were standing in front of the Room of Requirement. Harry checked the map again. Filch and Mrs. Norris were now walking around the second floor corridors. Then he paced back and forth in front of the blank wall and made the correct request for the needed room. The door opened on the third time around, and he and Hermione hurried inside.
"Eerie being in here so soon after what happened to us, eh?" Hermione asked, as she looked around the room.
"Yeah," Harry said, "Come on."
"Harry?" Hermione asked, as she and Harry headed down the all-too familiar path toward the Diadem's location. "Do you think we should destroy that cabinet?"
"Er... wouldn't that create some kind of paradox?" Harry said.
"Paradoxes don't exist," Hermione said, "We're already changing the future successfully and will continue to do so. We're going against everything I've ever researched on time travel."
"Oh, good point," Harry said. "Yeah, I suppose we should destroy the cabinet. Just to make sure nobody else attempts to go back to the past and change what we're changing. We'll do that after we destroy the Horcrux. I brought a Basilisk fang with me."
"'Kay," Hermione said; she was quite nervous and jumpy; when Harry nudged her, she looked at him and smiled. "Sorry. I'm fine. Just having a bit of Deja-Vu."
"Nothing bad is going to happen," Harry said. "I promise."
Hermione smiled and nodded. Soon they reached the bust which the Diadem was sitting on. Harry gently took it with both hands, and set it down in a empty space of floor.
"It seems a real pity that we have to destroy it with a Basilisk fang," Hermione said, "Shouldn't we keep it until we go back to Gringotts, and let the Goblins take care of it? It sounds like they were able to remove the taint from Hufflepuff's Goblet and it is good as new."
"Would you really want to wear the Diadem after so many years of being tainted with Dark Magic?" Harry asked. "You would never know if some of the taint has been left over."
Hermione grimaced. "Good point."
"Besides," Harry said, "I promised Helena Ravenclaw I would destroy it."
Hermione sighed and nodded then raised her eyes to the ceiling. "Please forgive us, Rowena. It is necessary."
The process of destroying the Diadem was eerily similar to the ring's destruction. Harry pierced it with the fang, then slid back away from the Diadem as an ungodly scream tore through the room, and a black tar-like substance oozed from the Diadem. When all was said and done, the Diadem was split in two. Harry picked up the two pieces and put them in one of his robe pockets. Hermione looked at him oddly.
"I am going to keep a few of the Horcruxes," Harry said, "And show them to Voldemort the night I destroy him. So I can show him exactly how he has failed."
Hermione smiled. "I am oddly very supportive of that idea. So... shall we destroy the cabinet?"
Harry looked at the large Cabinet standing nearby. "How shall we do it?"
"Reducto!" Hermione growled, pointing her wand at the cabinet.
Harry watched with wide eyes as the cabinet fell apart in splinters on the ground of all shapes and sizes. Hermione then flourished her wand toward the splinters and they vanished.
"Obliterated them into non-existence," Hermione said, smugly; then she frowned and stared at him for a moment; before he could ask what was wrong, she smiled. "Was just making sure you weren't going to disappear because of a paradox."
"Ha-ha," Harry said, rolling his eyes, "Very funny. Let's go back."
Hermione agreed and the pair started heading back toward the exit. They were immensely relieved when they walked out of the Room of Requirement. Both were uneasy about the whole thing after their recent visit which had thrown them back into the past. Harry checked the Marauder's Map, and found that Argus Filch and Mrs. Norris were now in their living quarters on the first floor of the castle. Nobody else was patrolling the corridors. Dumbledore was still pacing in his office.
Soon enough, they were back at the portrait of Rapunzel. They recited the password and she nodded and yawned as she opened her portrait. They walked into the Common Room and both were quite relieved that Tonks wasn't waiting for them.
Hermione turned to Harry, wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled as she looked at him.
"A successful end to an even more successful day," she said.
"Indeed," Harry said, "Four down, three to go."
"I'd say that deserves a congratulatory kiss," Hermione said.
Harry agreed wholeheartedly and leaned toward her for a kiss. She chuckled against his lips and returned the kiss. After about a minute, both backed away, quite satisfied. Hermione released her hold from around him, and backed away in the direction of her bedroom.
"I will see you tomorrow, Harry," Hermione said, "Love you."
"I love you too, Hermione," Harry said.
Hermione smiled and retreated into her bedroom. Harry made his way into his own bedroom, and walked over to his trunk. He placed the broken halves of the Diadem in the bottom of his trunk. Then the placed the Marauder's Map at the top. He was about to put the Invisibility Cloak in the trunk, when he thought better of it. Something in the back of his mind told him that placing all three Hallows so close together was a bad idea. It had probably been the reason why he had walked out of the room before with the Invisibility Cloak.
"I don't know what it means to be Master of Death," Harry said, as he looked at the Cloak, "But I refuse to let you take any power over me."
He slammed the trunk closed, and climbed into bed. He draped the cloak over the backboard of the bed, then laid his head down on the pillow and dozed off to sleep with scenes of Hermione playing in his dreams.
The following morning, as Harry, Hermione and Tonks were dining on breakfast, the post owls flew into the Great Hall, Hedwig had returned with a reply from Sirius. Another owl also dropped the newest issue of the Daily Prophet in front of both Harry and Hermione. They had sent out subscriptions for the Daily Prophet whilst in Hogsmeade on Saturday.
"What did Sirius say?" Hermione asked, in a whisper, as Harry started reading through the letter; she had cast a Muffliato Charm as soon as the owls had arrived.
"He thanked both of us for our part in helping him get a trial," Harry said. "He is apparently staying in a flat in Diagon Alley with Remus – Remus is paying for it."
"Ooh," Hermione said, "Maybe we can see them on the same day we go to Gringotts."
Harry nodded. "Good idea. Let's see. He mentioned both Potter Manor and La Rochelle, and says he had lived at Potter Manor for a couple years after he ran away from home. La Rochelle – he went there for a few weeks with Remus and my parents the summer after they finished their education at Hogwarts. He says it is quite beautiful. I told him in my letter that we really wanted to visit both of the houses, and he said that would be quite possible this summer. He also suggested we use Potter Manor as our permanent residence."
"That is a good idea," Hermione said. "It certainly sounds wonderful. And probably big enough to hold you all your future wives and children."
Harry felt his cheeks go warm and he cleared his throat. "Let's see... I told him about my suspicions of Dumbledore... not much, just a bit. Interesting. He says he isn't surprised at all. Apparently he had his own suspicions. Anyway... he says he'll tell me more when I meet him face-to-face."
"Did he say anything about me?" Tonks asked.
"I told him you were our bodyguard," Harry said, "And he remembers you as – and I quote – 'the little brat who interrupted his best man speech'."
"He did not?" Tonks asked.
"He also said your family is some of the best sort around," Harry said, "Then he said if Amelia chose you as my bodyguard, then the brat must have grown up into a good young woman."
Tonks smiled. "Always liked that man."
"Have you ever been to Potter Manor?" Hermione asked.
"Course!" Tonks said, "It was where James and Lily's wedding and reception was. And it is where I went sometimes when they babysat me. Beautiful manor. Hermione's right, Harry. It is large enough to fit all your future family in."
She winked and he blushed again.
"Well, that is all there is," Harry said, setting the letter aside, "other then another thanks for helping him."
"Happy to know that Azkaban and the Dementors couldn't take away everything I remembered about my cousin," Tonks said, "He's still a good man and he still has a bit of a sense of humor. I'll hex him for calling me a brat!"
Harry laughed and picked up the newspaper, then opened it up. He began to read it during breakfast. On the front page, there were repeat articles about both Sirius and Snape with no real new information. When he turned to the next page, he found the article he had feared would come after his story the previous night at dinner. There was no picture, just a large bold title and article below. He grimaced when he saw that it was written by Rita Skeeter.
BOY-WHO-LIVED HARRY POTTER TELLING TALL-TALES?
SAYS HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED IS A HALF-BLOOD!
Daily Prophet Journalist Rita Skeeter reporting:
On that tragic evening of Halloween in 1981, Harry Potter,
then a baby – barely over a year old – murdered the worst
Dark Lord in centuries, known as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-
Named. But the Boy-Who-Lived could not let the man
rest in peace, readers. No, according to sources, Harry
Potter is trying to discredit the Dark Lord once and for
all in what may be his ultimate revenge for the tragic
loss of his parents?
Last night in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, while the students
were dining on dinner, Harry Potter announced to everyone
that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is none other than Tom
Marvolo Riddle, a Half-Blood.
Tom Riddle was a star student in his time. He was a Prefect,
the Head Boy, a member of Horace Slughorn's famous Slug
Club, in which yours truly was also an alumni of, and he had
earned an Award for Services to the School. Does this sound
like the makings of the most feared Dark Lord in recent history?
Lucius Malfoy, whose son Draco was witness to Potter's tall tale
had this to say:
"Potter has been known to tell all kinds of tales since his return
to the wizarding world. He has managed to become a teacher's
pet to several of the Professors at Hogwarts, and has earned
several points for his House, when anyone else might have been
expelled for the same incidents he went through. My son Draco
saw him in Hogsmeade earlier this year, when in fact he did not
have permission to go to the village. Draco remembers no news
that Potter had been reprimanded for such things. What do I think
about his latest story? It should be placed in a rubbish bin. My
father knew Tom Marvolo Riddle, and told great stories about the
man. Both men would be ashamed at such accusations that
such an honorable man could turn into He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
There you have it, readers. Just more lies and tall tales. It makes one
question whether or not the events of that night in Godric's Hollow
really happened the way we heard them. After all, aside from a baby,
who was there to witness the events go down?
Believe what you will, readers. I certainly will.
Harry scoffed as he finished and pushed the newspaper away.
"What utter rubbish!" Harry growled. "How can Rita Skeeter say that when the evidence can be found quite easily?!"
"It is Rita Skeeter, Harry," Tonks said, "She always writes that kind of rubbish. Wrote a nasty piece about my father a few years ago. Questioned his skill as a Solicitor. Dad lost a few clients because of Skeeter. But that is exactly what she wanted to do."
"Once the Daily Prophet discovers the truth," Hermione said, "they'll write a retraction which will discredit Rita Skeeter."
"Doubtful," Harry said, "It would give them a bad name too."
"Are you talking about Skeeter's article?" Luna asked, as she and Colin sat down across from Harry, Hermione and Tonks, "Daddy finds her articles entertaining. He doesn't believe a word she ever says, but he gives her points for creativity. Don't worry, Harry. I am going to publish the story you told about Tom Riddle in the Quibbler soon enough. Right next to the story about the Basilisk. They'll read the story about the Basilisk, and then the tale about Tom Riddle given by the same hero who killed a Basilisk. That will make them believe you."
"Thanks," Harry said.
"Speaking of the Basilisk, Harry!" Colin said, "I got a few photos done last night and made copies."
He handed a small stack of pictures to Harry, who took them. He looked through them and smiled as he looked back at Colin.
"These are fantastic, Colin!" Harry said, "Did you happen to get any pictures of the – er – special room?"
"Yeah, sure did," Colin said, "But they aren't ready yet."
"Can I have all of them?" Harry asked, "Copies and originals? I'd rather those not be discovered by the public yet."
"Sure, Harry, I understand," Colin said. "I'll give them to you when they're finished."
"Thanks," Harry said, as he continued looking through the pictures and handed each to Hermione, who looked as thrilled as he did, "They are really good."
"Definitely," Hermione said.
"Don't go showing them around to everyone just yet, Harry," Luna said, "We're going to wait for the big reveal until the Quibbler comes out."
"Understood," Harry said.
He pocketed the pictures and the group moved on to random and innocent topics while eating breakfast.
"She was a beautiful creature, Harry!" Hagrid said; tears running down his face as he looked at the pictures, "Magnificent, really. Did ya truly 'ave ter kill 'er? Was there no other option?"
Harry, Hermione and Tonks were now in Hagrid's hut after breakfast. Harry was fulfilling his promise to show Hagrid the pictures.
"It was pretty much a life and death situation," Harry said, "Wasn't thinking about preserving a life. She was trying to kill me and I had to put her down before she put me down."
"I understand," Hagrid said, "A wonder, ain't it? A beauty like this been under the castle for a thousand years or so."
"Yeah," Harry said.
He and Hermione exchanged smiles. Even though the creature was the one who had been responsible for so many unfortunate events, and was partially responsible for Hagrid getting expelled, the half-giant still appreciated the creature for what it was. A gentle heart for such a large man.
"Must have been exciting watching the Goblins harvest it," Hagrid said.
"It was... an experience," Harry said.
"Quite educational," Hermione said.
"Rather disgusting," Tonks added.
Hagrid chortled. "I imagine so, on all accounts. Now, tell me about how you saved Buckbeak. I been trying to figure out how you did it, and I can't put my mind on it. McGonagall did say something during the staff meeting about a time turner?"
Harry and Hermione glanced at each other. So that was how Hagrid had heard about it, through a staff meeting. Amelia likely told McGonagall and Dumbledore about what had happened during the events with the time turner, and McGonagall, in turn, told the Professors. Harry and Hermione both nodded and silently agreed to tell both Tonks and Hagrid everything that had happened. By the end of the tale, both Tonks and Hagrid were amazed. Hagrid stood, walked over to Harry and Hermione and picked them both up into a hug.
"Thank you, you two!" Hagrid said, as tears ran down his face and into his beard, "Thank you for helping Buckbeak. I'll never be able to repay you for that."
"You already have, by being our friend," Harry said.
"Oh, bless you both," Hagrid said.
"Amazing, that was," Tonks said. "You can really do a Patronus that can take out a flock of Dementors?"
Harry took his wand from his pocket and produced his Stag Patronus.
"Amazing!" Hagrid said, "What a creature!"
"Wow!" Tonks said, simply shocked, "Brilliant! Are you sure you're only thirteen?"
Harry and Hermione exchanged grins.
"I feel so bad about thinking Sirius Black was a bad man all these years," Hagrid said, as he sat back down in his large chair, "Earlier this year, I even called him a murderer and a traitor. When I see 'im next, I'm going to give him a 'pology. I 'ope 'e doesn't hate me. He has a good reason fer it too. I took you from his arms the night your parents died, Harry. If I 'adn't... maybe Sirius would be a free man and 'ave raised you."
"It isn't your fault, Hagrid," Harry said, "You didn't know what would have happened."
"True," Hagrid said, "But at least yeh'd 'ave been away from those relatives o' yours."
"I no longer have to return to their house," Harry said, "So it doesn't matter anymore. I know my parents would forgive you. You did introduce me to the wizarding world, after all. My life's been pretty good since."
Hagrid smiled as tears leaked down his face. "That it 'as, Harry. That it 'as."