Harry Potter and the Dark Lord of the Sith

Chapter 11.

Back at the base, a celebration had already begun when the ships landed. Harry and Hermione barely got down from their fighters onto the hangar floor before Ron tried to hug both of them at once. "You're alive!" he cried. "You're alive!"

Everyone thanked them, hugged them, congratulated them. Even their astromech droids were cheerfully exchanging beeps. None of them was in as bad a shape as Luke's R2-D2, who was silent and for whom Threepio was now offering to donate his circuits.

"You're heroes," Leia said, looking around. "You're all heroes. The galaxy will never forget you."

Wedge approached them. "That was excellent flying, people," he said simply. "I'll be honored to fly with you again. And if you friend here is as good as you two, we'll be invincible." Hermione beamed back at him. Harry simply clasped Wedge on the shoulder and smiled.

As they headed for the banquet, Ron whispered to Hermione, "Are you sure you didn't use the Imperius curse?" he asked pointing at Han, who was now laughing along with Luke at something.

"No," she said, chuckling. "Besides, you know it can be resisted, and he looks strong-willed enough for that. If I tried, it might have backfired. No, he definitely came back on his own. I've a feeling he'll stick around for a while, too."

"I thought you didn't trust divination," said Harry.

"I don't, but that's not divination," Hermione replied, "that's common sense."

XXX

The next day, all of the base personnel gathered in the great hall of the temple, which was hundreds of meters long. Luke, Han, and Chewbacca were marching down the aisle, walking by members of the Alliance who stood in respectful silence. Ahead, next to the podium, stood General Dodonna, Leia in a splendid formal white gown and a new hairstyle that made rings on the back of her head rather than at the sides, and the repaired droids, See Threepio and Artoo Detoo. A few steps below, but still above the main audience, were four pilots and their astromech droids: Wedge, Harry, Hermione, and Keyan Farlander, the surviving Y-Wing pilot.

When the trio walked up, Leia took gold medals from the general and placed them around the necks of Han, Luke, and Chewie. The honored heroes turned to face the crowd, which erupted in cheer. Harry wanted to do the same, but Leia motioned them forward. The four confused pilots stepped up, and the princess, receiving a second tray from Dodonna, placed silver medals on the necks of Keyan, Wedge, and the two wizards. Then she motioned them to turn around as well. The audience gave a second cheer. Harry turned and saw Leia beaming with a radiant smile at them. He nudged Hermione. "When we get back home," he said, "do you think anyone will believe us?"

"You said when, not if," Hermione told him. "Does that mean--"

"I know. I meant it. We will get back."

"Yes," she agreed. "We will."