End of the Line

Epilogue

– EPILOGUE –

Hermione grinned like a monkey when she saw Harry's eyes start to flicker. She released Ron

and Dumbledore's hands, and leaned over, placing a gentle kiss on Harry's lips. She wasn't

prepared for Harry's eyes to shoot open, while he pushed his head backwards in the pillow, trying to

get away from her.

"Miss Granger." Dumbledore said sharply. "It might be wise to give Harry a little space at the

moment."

She tried to hide her pained look, but to anyone who knew her, it was pretty obvious. "I-I'm

sorry, Harry." She whispered, taking a step backwards, looking at Ron with anguish in her eyes.

Dumbledore stepped closer, thinking that because of his advanced age, he would be the safest

option to approach Harry. "How are you, my boy?"

Harry glanced up at Dumbledore, his eyes still slightly glazed. "Well..." He rasped. "I feel like

I'm in the Divine Comedy."

"Which level?" Dumbledore chuckled.

"Ninth..." Harry muttered, sighing with pure exhaustion. "What the hell happened?"

Dumbledore glanced at Hermione, who nodded shakily, before taking up the tale. "When you

left the Burrow, Ginny somehow found a way to get into Grimmauld Place. While we stayed at the

Burrow, Molly somehow found a way to seal the wards, making sure we couldn't return.

"Ginny gave you a massive overdose of Amortentia, something like forty times the maximum.

You fell unconscious. Ginny levitated you to the bed, and stripped you off."

Harry groaned. "Where is she now?"

Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance, then looked at Dumbledore. "She's at the Burrow."

Ron said slowly. "Arthur and Percy were there. Must have felt it when we destroyed the wards.

They're watching over her until the Aurors turn up."

"Professor?" Harry groaned again. "Can you seal Grimmauld Place? Nothing in or out?"

Dumbledore nodded slowly. "I could. Why?"

"'Cause I still feel the need to go to her. I know it's false, and I'm resisting it, but the

compulsion's still there. I 'know' she loves me, and the potion's trying to get me to go to her." He

looked up at Dumbledore, pleading in his eyes. "Please, make sure I stay locked up."

"Very well." Dumbledore turned to Ron. "Will you be able to stay with him while he

recuperates?"

"No." Harry called out weakly. "That potion's buggering up my feelings. I can tell. I need to be

on my own."

"Harry..." Hermione sobbed. "You don't have to do this alone. Me and Ron can help you. You

need people with you who love you."

"There is something else to consider, Harry." Dumbledore said, resting a hand gently on

Harry's duvet-covered shoulder. The young man flinched, and pulled away, leaving Dumbledore

shocked. "You are resisting physical contact, a not-uncommon side effect of people who have been