Survivor

Chapter 29 - Epilogue.

4 years in the making (with a very long break in between) Survivor is finally completed. I want to think everyone who has been loyal to the story. Thank you for your patience!

I really hope you enjoyed Survivor as much as I enjoyed writing it. Not gonna lie, I was a little emotional publishing this last chapter. I definitely intend to continue writing. I will see you all soon with whatever inspires me next! H.x

On the night of August 31st, Hogwart's school of Witchcraft and Wizardry held a ball to celebrate its reopening after the fall of Lord Voldemort. It was a highly publicised event, with reporters from the Daily Prophet lurking with their cameras at the ready. Anybody who was anybody of magical society was dressed up to the nines, and in attendance. 

Minerva McGonagall, who was the secondment Headmistress of the school, was smiling dutifully, shaking hands and posing for photographs with various Ministry officials. She looked as though she had gained a new lease of life, now that the war had finally ended. There was certainly a newfound sense of pride and a spring in her step as she pointed out the new fixtures of The Great Hall.

At Minerva's right hand was Severus, who had been in charge of the rebuilding of the school. Although it was mandated by The Ministry of Magic, as a punishment for his (albeit indirect) contribution towards destroying Hogwarts, he also looked accomplished. Re-constructing the school had been challenging, and there was still a large portion to be completed. But over the course of July and August, Severus's team had managed to restore the dormitories, the infirmary and enough classrooms for students to return in September as normal. The grounds were still messy in some areas, however Severus had entrusted that particular responsibility to Professor Sprout and Hagrid, who worked with volunteers like Neville Longbottom to make the courtyards and lawns safe again. 

Hogwarts itself had been greatly helpful. Its ancient magic seemed keen to help the restoration process, aiding the wizards and lightening the load. Even the school's house elves did their part (although Hermione had chewed Severus's ears off when he told her that they had been contributing without pay). 

Despite his satisfied smirk, Severus continued to be irritable and sarcastic as reporters attempted to interview him. Minerva looked as though she was resisting the urge to give him a clip round the earhole. 

Hermione sat at a large table with her friends, watching as people made merry in the same spot in which she had lost so many of her friends only a few months ago. The dead, now long buried, had been memorialised by a large stone plaque that rested on one wall of the hall. There were more than fifty names inscribed onto the stone, not all of them were students. Included in the list were: Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Fred Weasley, Colin Creevey and Lavender Brown. Cedric Diggory's and Albus Dumbledore's names were also featured. There was a small altar underneath the plaque on which people had lit candles or had left flowers, out of respect.

The atmosphere in the room was unaffected by the unfortunate absences, as people had been given the opportunity to move on. While the war had caused so much pain and suffering, the end of the conflict had brought a sense of positive commonality between wizards of all blood status.

Hermione had never thought she would see the day that Draco Malfoy would be sharing a table with Ron and Ginny Weasley, and yet here they were. 

Harry, sat to Hermione's left, had been bombarded by interviewers and fans since the moment he had entered the ball. He looked tired. He and Ron had recently started their Auror training at The Ministry, which sounded like a great physical and mental drain. Ron had spent half of the evening bragging to anyone who would listen about the case's he had attended, even though Harry pointed out that they could do little more than observe so early on in their training.