A Future of Hope

Chapter Ten: A Future of Hope

June-Seven Years Later

I have waited for this day for many years. So many of us prayed for the end of the war and the victory of Harry Potter. Now, finally, the true joy of the triumph is about to occur...

For a while after the final showdown between Harry and Voldemort, Harry locked himself inside himself. He felt such guilt about having to do what we all asked of him. He saved the world by killing another. It pained me every day to see the guilt in his emerald eyes. There was nothing I could have wished for more than to have never placed that burden on him. I know the idea taxed him greatly after the prophecy and up until that day seven years ago.

But once he did the final deed, once he finally, in his eyes, murdered Voldemort, he closed himself off from everyone around him. It seemed for the longest time that the guilt and horror at himself would overtake him and he would either be lost forever down the same path as his enemy or break.

It was Ginevra Weasley that helped to pull him back from his ever downward depression. She was by his side almost constantly, telling him that yes, what he did was unavoidable. Yes, what he did was horrible. But more importantly, she told him that it did not make him the same at Voldemort. He felt remorse over the incident, a feeling Voldemort never felt once in his life.

I'm still unsure as to what act that she did, that pulled him from himself. I suspect it was the day that she told him she loved him. The fact that she loved him despite his important role in defeating Voldemort was, I believe, the main reason for his turnaround.

Not long after that, Harry became a new person it seemed. He had an air of happiness around him and became more outgoing. There were still dangers present, and although I warned him against abandoning all caution, if he wanted to go somewhere, he went. In a way it was so good to see him smiling and the glint in his eyes return that we all let him get away with it. We all stepped back and allowed him to enjoy his newly found freedom. A freedom he had been denied for all of his life.

A freedom that the six students involved in the battle were denied for a long time as well. After Voldemort's demise, they too were treated with more leniency. They deserved it after the way they selflessly participated against Voldemort's attempts to control the world.

After graduation, they all went on to pursue the careers they'd dreamed of. Careers that never would have existed were it not for their help. Neville went on to study Herbology more in-depth. He is now the professor at Hogwarts and the owner of an herb shop in Hogsmead.

Luna went on to work with her father. She is now the field representative for The Quibbler and loving it. She is planning on searching for a creature called the Yellowbellied Vipertic. Supposedly she's making progress, but I can't fathom how. Though I admire her bravery and loyalty, she is still a dreamer.

Both Ron and Harry went to train at Auror School under Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody's tutelage. By the time they graduated, I'm sure they were extremely tired of hearing his favorite phrase of "constant vigilance." They are both doing well as field Aurors mainly because most of Voldemort's minions were taken prisoner within hours of the final battle. Those that weren't arrested are hiding out in poverty. Poor Lucius Malfoy, he had all that money and yet chose to flee rather than atone for his actions. Not that I can blame him, he would have faced a Dementor's Kiss had he been arrested.

Hermione, being the bright witch she is, became and Unspeakable. Though I'm sure her life centers around work, she is still seen frequently by all of us. She's even considering taking the position of Transfiguration Professor when Minerva retires. I do hope she accepts. It would be lovely to have such a bright student teach others.

Ginevra trained to be a Mediwitch and is completing her training by apprenticing to Poppy at Hogwarts. She plans to either go to work at St. Mungo's or take Poppy's job from her. Again, it would be lovely for her to work at Hogwarts. I would enjoy seeing her spark annoy Severus. Poor lad, I wish there was a way to reach him.

As for the rest of the Hogwarts staff, we're still teaching away and reveling in Voldemort's demise. Classes and activities go along as usual and what little reports the papers give of Death Eaters are so hackneyed that I don't bother to pay them much attention.

The most exciting thing that has happened in recent months was when the six students knocked on my door at the beginning of April.

I smiled the moment the door was open and ushered them inside. "This is a surprise," I commented.

It was Harry who spoke for the rest. "We have a favor to ask you, Professor Dumbledore."

I watched Luna and Neville glance at each other shyly, Ron and Hermione smile to one another, and Harry and Ginny give one another a reassuring squeeze on the hand. In that moment I knew what they would ask me. I was polite and gave them the opportunity to say what they wanted to say, letting them believe that I knew nothing of what they wanted from me. "What would you ask of me, Harry?" I questioned him.

"Sir, ever since Voldemort's end, there's something we've all wanted to do but had to wait for the right time. So now, after seven years, we've decided that the time is now."

"Too long," Ginevra muttered.

I smiled at the Weasley daughter. Despite the fact I know everyone calls her Ginny, Ginevra is too beautiful a name to substitute with a nickname. Harry continued, "Sir, we'd like it very much if you'd marry us in the Great Hall of the school. We want a triple wedding, and this is the one place that we all have happy memories. This is the one place we all feel like we're home."

"You do realize I haven't performed marriages since the Potters, don't you?"

All six adults conceded that, but remained adamant about me being the one to marry them. "Are you sure you don't want a church wedding, Hermione?" I asked her, knowing with her Muggle heritage, her family would not be able to attend, as they would only see a pile of rubble.

"I want this, Professor," she answered. "My parents have given consent so long as Ron and I have a celebration at their home sometime after the honeymoon is over."

I nodded my head and responded, "I would be honored."

The six had beamed and thanked me so profusely, I'm sure my cheeks turned red. We discussed the details and it was Neville who eventually decided the date. "It should be June 18^th," he said. "That was the first free day the world had of Voldemort. It would make sense for the people who helped to make that happen begin their new lives on that day."

To this no one could disagree...

And since this conversation, Hogwarts has gotten the best cleaning she's seen since she was first built, I'd wager. Right now, my attention is on Fawkes. My beautiful phoenix is cleaning himself for perhaps the hundredth time since he found out he was to carry the rings for the three couples. Ah well, at least he's content.

A knock on my door signals to me that the weddings are about to proceed. "It's time, Fawkes," I say.

He looks at me with his beady eyes and I can just barely see a smile in them. I stand up from my velvet chair and cross the room. I take a deep breath and try to keep my emotions at bay. Sirius, James, and Lily would want to be here for this day; should be here for this day. So much has been stolen from Harry, but at least today, hope is restored to him.

I step into the Great Hall and silence greets me. I can tell the many guests were conversing up until the moment the door moved. Not only is the Great Hall packed with people, this is only the most important event the wizarding world has seen since Voldemort's fall. The-Boy-Who-Lived is finally getting married to his long-time girlfriend Ginevra Weasley. Tabloids really jazzed up this event. It started out as a simple triple wedding with only family invited, but after the Daily Prophet got wind of it, there was no side-stepping the politics. Ministry Officials had to be invited, then old friends, and soon, just about anyone who personally knew one of the six getting married were invited to the wedding. I think about all of this on the short journey in front of these originally unwanted guests.

I take my place in the front center of the room where the teacher's dining table usually sets. In front of me on my owl shaped podium are three white ribbons. I run my fingers gingerly across all three and wait patiently for the doors in the back to open.

While I wait for the six adults, I scan the crowd, looking for possible trouble. For some reason, Draco Malfoy is in attendance, as well as his wife Pansy. Remus and Severus are conversing in the front aisle about the latest discovery in the Wolfsbane Potion. It certainly is enjoyable to see the two being amiable to one another. The remaining Professors are mixed in around the room. The Weasleys, Lovegoods, and Longbottoms are seated together and the joy on their faces is evident.

Before any further assessment can be made, the back door opens with a soft click. The people seated turn their heads and watch as first the flower girl, Luna's cousin, comes down the aisle. She is followed by Dobby who escorts Winky; the two of them holding the marriage contracts. Behind them flies my beautiful phoenix. In his talons, he holds the box containing all six marriage bands.

Once Fawkes takes his place on his perch, everyone stands to watch the couples enter. Harry and Ginny enter to shouts and clapping from the spectators. For that is what everyone who is not a relative is. A spectator in the game of "What is The-Boy-Who-Saved-The-World doing?" I wish I could shake my head at the lengths people go to, but right now, I must keep up appearances.

Instead, I return my thoughts and focus on the adults walking towards me. Harry is wearing black dress robes and Ginevra wears white. Her hair, as is tradition, is straight and down, settling just below her shoulder blades.

Next comes Ron and Hermione. Ron wears black and Hermione wears white. She has even managed to tame her hair so even though it's lying just past her shoulders, it's not frizzy in the slightest bit.

Neville and Luna enter last, looking similar to the other two couples. Soon all three couples are standing in the appropriate places. The farthest on my left is Neville, then Ron, and Harry right in front of me. Next to Harry stands Ginevra, Hermione, and finally Luna on my far right.

"Welcome, wedding guests," I greet the people in attendance. "As most of you know, I have not performed any marriage ceremonies since Lily and James Potter 25 years ago."

Here I pause to allow those who remember the event a moment to mourn the loss of the Potters. "It is my honor and privilege that the first marriage I perform since then to be the Potters' one and only child's. Harry James Potter, please take the hand of Ginevra Molly Weasley."

Harry smiles at Ginevra and holds out his left hand. She turns to face him and places her right hand gently inside it. They can't hold back the smiles from their faces and nor can I. With a flutter of wings, Fawkes sets the box on the podium beside the ribbons. When he is back on his perch, I open the box. The six rings sparkle in the floating candlelight. Emeralds decorate the future Potters rings, Rubies for the Weasleys, and Amethysts for the Longbottoms.

With my left hand I pick up the ribbon in the middle and lay it gently across Harry and Ginevra's clasped hands. I take a deep breath and say the Latin spells that every wizard's marriage must be blessed with. With each end of the sentence, the ribbon wraps around them and begins to tie itself into a bow. When both the Latin and bow-tying is completed, I say to all, "Marriage is something that cannot be entered into lightly. Ginevra Molly Weasley, do you promise to love and support Harry James Potter through sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

Ginevra looks shyly up at Harry with her chocolate eyes and answers, "I do."

"Harry James Potter, do you promise to love and support Ginevra Molly Weasley through sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

There is no hesitation in Harry's reply. "I do."

I feel my smile broaden as I ask both him and Ginevra to take a step back to make room for the other couples. I do the same to Ron and Hermione as I did Harry.

"Hermione Jane Granger, do you promise to love and support Ronald Bilius Wealey through sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Ronald Bilius Weasley, do you promise to love and support Hermione Jane Granger though sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

These two step back and stand beside of Harry and Ginevra while Neville and Luna go through the same bit.

"Luna Marilyn Lovegood, do you promise to love and support Neville Franklin Longbottom through sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Neville Franklin Longbottom, do you promise to love and support Luna Marilyn Lovegood through sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

All three couples return to standing in front of me. The future Potters stand on my right and the future Weasleys on the left with the Longbottoms in the center. My smile and the smiles of those around me are definitely growing more radiant. "May the days you share be blessed and plentiful," I say. "I now pronounce Harry and Ginevra, Ron and Hermione, Neville and Luna man and wife. Please kiss your spouses."

Cheers rush up from the crowds as the three couples kiss each other. The ribbons around their wrists glow brightly and their shine covers the six with a white light. When the couples embraces end, I request they take out their wands. They comply and without my having to say a word, touch their tips to the ribbon. The white light dissipates as well as the ribbon. But on the handle of their wands, inlaid around the bottom, are miniature portions of their ribbon. Inscribed in the ribbon is today's date and their names.

The couples hug one another in a rush and soon Mr. and Mrs. Potter are conversing with Remus and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are with Molly and Charlie. Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom are hugging on Larry and Neville's Grandmother. It is a beautiful sight.

And all too soon my dear students will depart the Great Hall to begin their lives together. Soon there will be rumors of little children coming into our lives once more. And as I watch them all enjoying this new feeling of being married, I can see that there truly is such a thing as a future of hope.