The Reticulation, Part II

Harry, drenched in sweat, cautiously stepped forward to look down at the lifeless body of Dolores Umbridge--her mouth lying wide open, her eyes all bugged-out in shock and her ugly cardigan drenched by the mud her body had landed in. This was not exactly the sight he had expected to see when Lord Voldemort was defeated, but here it was. Voldemort had attempted to escape death by placing his essence into the Reticulation, a Hogwarts equivalent to a Muggle computer network, but he was discovered and took refuge in Umbridge's body.

Professor McGonagall had just ended that with a burst of Avada Kedavra and now teachers and students alike were cautiously stepping forward. All of them (except for Crabbe and Goyle, of course) were very aware that this was one the greatest moments in wizarding history. The Dark Lord was finally gone and the war was over. Harry had thought it over before it was found Voldemort had escaped into the Reticulation, but then he had been unsure. Now he was sure.

"You really enjoyed that, didn't you, Professor?" Ginny asked McGonagall. McGonagall turned to look down at her with a rather chastising expression, but then she smiled.

"Yes, I did, Miss Weasley," she said matter-of-factly. Ginny grinned broadly.

"Now, wait just a minute there!" a familiar voice said. Harry turned to see none other than Cornelius Fudge.

"What are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.

"I'm doing my bloody job!" he snarled angrily. Harry noticed that Fudge was wearing a Magical Law Enforcement uniform.

"I thought Scrimgeour kept you on as an advisor?" McGonagall asked politely.

"Well, I got demoted!" Fudge shouted. "Now, I want you to remember that I'm still a member of the Ministry and should be treated accordingly."

"Does my dad outrank you now?" Ron asked curiously. Fudge looked annoyed, but eventually answered.

"Yes," he said in disgust. Ron laughed out loud.

"I bet he's got it out for you!" he shouted. "You'd better treat us right now or I might just owl him." Fudge ignored this.

"Now, you just killed a high-ranking Ministry official on the spot," he informed McGonagall. "There will be an immediate investigation into this."

"I'm certain you will find I acted appropriately considering she had been taken over by You-Know-Who," McGonagall replied coolly. Fudge swore under his breath and walked off in a huff.

"I now declare this the best day of my life," Ron told Harry, Hermione and Ginny. "The day Umbridge died and Fudge got demoted to lackey!"

"What about the defeat of Lord Voldemort?" asked Hermione.

"Oh, yeah, and that," Ron added quickly.

"And he wasn't even demoted today," Hermione pointed out. "It probably happened mouths ago."

"Well, we found out today," Ron answered.

"I'm just glad it's all over now," said Harry. He looked at Ginny, thinking about the life they could now have together. Ginny understood and smiled back.

"Well, I guess this is it," Hermione said eventually. "Life goes on. I'd better get to the library--I have a lot of homework from Arithmancy." Ron rolled his eyes at Harry and Ginny as Hermione ran off for the castle.

But it wasn't over--it was just beginning...