Two Weeks Later

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It was two weeks after the Serpent's Duel (as quoted from the Daily Prophet), and Hogwarts was transformed. Inter-house relationships were proudly flaunted through the halls, joyous smiles replaced stressed tears and the corridoors were bustling with students who refused to go celebrate with their parents, too excited to be living in the castle where Lord Voldmort had fallen.

Families and tourists from all over the world had arrived at Hogwarts, to interview students ("I saw the whole thing, I was right there!") and to visit the Great Hall, the place it all happened. Without needing any witches or wizards to enchant the building, the castle conveniently expanded comfortably to accommodate the visitors.

Harry Potter was on the cover of every magazine, newspaper and telewizion. The headlines above his stylish bed-head didn't read The Chosen One Defeated The Dark Lord, not The Boy Who Triumphed, or Harry Potter Saves Mankind. The headlines screamed EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! HARRY POTTER - THE BOY WHO FELT IT ALL! Or Harry Potter Tells Us - What Was You Know Who's Last Thoughts? Another headline read The Boy Who Lived ... FOR A LOT LONGER THAN WE ASSUMED!

Draco Malfoy's name was rarely mentioned, if at all. Word had spread that after the death of Lord Voldemort, Lucius Malfoy had mysteriously died, found motionless in his mansion. The same fate met every Death Eater known to the wizarding world. The youngest Malfoy was mentioned once in concern, when an elderly lady asked what was going to happen to "that poor orphan", only to be met with averted gazes and awkward pauses.

Some names were too uncomfortable to mention. Maybe it was because no one had expected it. Maybe it was because nobody knew how to react to it. Maybe everybody thought, given the circumstances, that there wasn't any point in remembering him, because he wasn't there anyway. Maybe it was because their whole lives, they had grown to believe that it would be Harry Potter who would save them. Maybe that's why they still believe he did.

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