The Final Goodbye?

The Final Goodbye?

"He's dead; I can't believe it, he's really dead..." choked Hermione Granger as she viewed the corpse lying in the middle of Hogwarts Castle.

It was this very spot where Harry Potter had dueled Lord Voldemort, and fulfilled the Prophecy set forth by Sybil Trelawney. However, one did not die "at the hands of the other", as the prophecy told. Instead, both were killed by a massive outpouring of pure magic from the young Potter. It was immensely powerful; in fact, it had left a fifty-foot scorch ring from the spot where he once stood, and dissolved the Evil that was Voldemort in its progression. But the spell called upon Harry's reserves too much, and he died a hero's death, giving his life to protect all those he held dear. Now, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny stood over his body, draping it with a shroud for burial.

"Why?" Ginny sobbed. She, out of all of them, was taking this the hardest; she and Harry had started dating (with Ron's permission, of course) in the beginning of Harry's sixth year, and had soon discovered that they were a perfect match for each other, physically, mentally, and emotionally. There was no doubt in anyone's mind, when they graduated from Hogwarts, they would have been married and both would have trained as Aurors. Would have...would have...why does this have to happen? Surely there must be something that can be done? But it's impossible to bring back the dead, everyone knows that... or do we? I wonder if something is hidden in the old Library?

"Gin? Are you OK?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, sorry. I just got caught up in my thoughts..."

Hermione reached over and put a hand around her shoulders. God, she's been through a lot. First losing Bill, then the Twins, now Harry...No wonder she's a wreck.

"If there's anything I can do to help you feel better, you know just to ask, right?" Hermione said.

"Yes, I know....but what about Ron? He needs you too."

"And I'll be there for him, just as I will for you, but in a different way."

As they stood up and left this place of death, Ginny bolted for the old Library. Found by the four of them nearly a year ago, it had been a secret meeting place for late night snog sessions (which Hermione disapproved of) and studying of some of the most ancient magics known to mankind. She reached the door while she thought of the password; it was some Latin password she had problems remembering.

"Sanctum Sanctorum" she said as the picture of a Witch-hunt sprung to the side to allow entry. She dove for a stack of books dedicated to the Lightest of magics and began to read.

"There has to be something here...please...let there be something...don't take him away from me, too," She said as she pored over tome after tome.

The hours dragged by, and fatigue was beginning to set in. She passed out on a book describing how to expel demons when a dream hit her.

It was unlike any other dream she had ever encountered. Where am I, she wondered. Before her stood two great pillars, and a gate of the purest material she had ever seen. She saw a small church at the side, and being the only semi-religious Weasley, knelt began to pray...

"I know I don't do this often, but I need help. I've lost my life partner, and I need some guidance..."

At that, something inside her moved so profoundly, she rose again, and left the church.

* * * * * * * * *

"Wow, what a weird dream," she muttered as she stood up from the bench she was sitting on. And yet... something felt so different inside her, like I have been given a gift to save someone, she thought. She left the old Library and returned to the hall where Harry lay. His body was placed on a pedestal of the purest marble, and he looked just as handsome as he did when he stood next to her twenty-four hours beforehand.

Looks like everybody's at lunch, she noted mentally. She stood before the body alone. Lowering her head in another prayer manner, she sensed the power inside her. She stepped forward, and produced a beautiful shimmering sword in her hand. Straining her eyes, she looked closer to read the inscription, "Whoeso pulleth out thys sworde from thys stone and anvile is likewise Kinge, Borne of Englande... Excalibur." Stunned at the revelation that she now possessed the Holiest of swords in her hand, she pressed the blade to her heart, and heard a voice say, "Your wish has been granted. Call him with your heart." Holding the sword in her hands, she began to think of her love for Harry. And as she did so, she felt that same little stirring in her body again, only this time on a stronger level.

"Confietor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Ex exspecto ressurectionem mortuorum, et vitem venture saeculi..." she said out loud. And as she did so, the sword filled with energy, and she was doing all she could to hold onto it. With a cry, she exclaimed, "Lazaro!"

As she did, the room began to fill with the purest of energies, and the sword slipped from her hand. It flew into the air, where it halted many feet over Harry's prone body, and with a thunderclap of tremendous force, the sword plunged into Harry's chest.

* * * * *

"Students, we gather today to remember a life loved and shared by all of us. I know we all knew Harry Potter, and we shall all miss him greatly. His funeral service will be held tomorrow, and for now, the drapes hang black in front of you as a sign of respect. Now it is with a heavy heart I tell you to eat, for I know it's the last thing you want to do now." Albus Dumbledore concluded.

Relieved that the war was over, he was not. Hurt and saddened by the loss of Harry, it was all he could do to hold back tears. As he looked down the staff table, he noticed all members present, including Professor Snape, had remorseful looks and many were openly distraught. Tiny little Professor Flitwick was trying to comfort Hagrid, and was not doing too well a job by the looks of it. Truly, this was one of the saddest days Hogwarts had ever seen.

As the students finished eating, a strange sound came resonating off the walls, almost like someone was singing indistinctly. It started as one voice, and gradually grew stronger, until it became two, then three, then four, then multitudes! And as they grew stronger, the words they sang became clearer, until no one could mistake what they were hearing.

Once more with joy O my home I may meet

Once more ye fair, flowr'y meadows I greet

My Pilgrim's staff henceforth may rest

Since Heaven's sweet peace is within my breast.

"What is that?" Minerva McGonagall questioned.

"Tannhauser, and if I'm not mistaken my dear Minerva, Hogwarts itself is singing..." Dumbledore said with a growing twinkle in his eye.

"How?"

"Shhh... the interlude's just about over..."

The sinner's 'plaint on high was heard

And accepted by the gracious Lord

The tears I laid before His shrine

Are turned to hope and joy divine.

O Lord eternal praise be Thine!

The blessed source of Thy mercy o'erflowing

On souls repentant seek Ye, bestowing

Of Hell and death, I have no fear

My gracious Lord is ever near

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Forevermore.

When the voices had finished singing, the students' morale had been raised to an almost bursting capacity, and deafening cheer went up, but everyone was soon silenced by a wave of the brightest white light anyone had ever seen. And at that very moment, Harry Potter woke up from the death-slumber, and saw his own Saviour in the form of Ginny Weasley standing over him.

* * * * *

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked minutes later, after he had sprinted out of the Great Hall to the antechamber.

"Hello, Professor." Harry shyly smiled.

"How... did this happen?"

"Well, let's just say you were right. Love, pure unadulterated love, is the most powerful magic of all. For when it combines with the Almighty, anything is possible."

Finis.