Harry Potter and the Secrets of Dumbledore

Harry Potter and the Secrets of Dumbledore

Chapter 24

July 31, 2230

Harry stared into the mirror and wondered where the man staring back at him came from. The same unruly hair, though now snow white. The same round glasses, though now soft silver frames instead of black. A few wrinkles, but certainly nowhere near what one would expect at his age. Although he would turn two hundred and fifty tomorrow, he didn't look a day over one hundred and fifty. "Hmmm - and I was supposed to die at fifteen months old, and eleven years old, and twelve, and..."

He poured himself a cup of coffee and headed out to the front porch. It was a beautiful summer's morning. The sun was shining down through a deep blue sky illuminating the various shades of green gracing the trees, creating playful shadows on the lawn below. Numerous rose bushes in the flower bed around the porch burst forth a rainbow of perfectly formed petals - their delicate fragrance wafting through the air, pleasing the senses.

Taking a seat, he gazed at the Hillside compound. It had been almost two hundred and thirty years since he had built the original Hillside. The hill was now covered with eighteen houses of all shapes and sizes. Children - he had stopped counting how many generations a long time ago, happily played without a care in the world. As they noticed him on the porch, he heard, "Morning Grandpa," many times over. He smiled and waved back at each greeting.

Almost thirty years had passed by the time Harry and Harold had finally discovered the 'minor enhancements' they had received while recovering from the battle with Benedict. They're magical abilities had been enriched and their aging process' slowed.

"Grandpa, is there anything I can get for you before I go London?"

Harry turned and gazed at his great-granddaughter, Laura Ann Potter. Laura had always been Harry's favorite through the years. She reminded him a great deal of his beloved Antonia. She had always been a beautiful woman with thick dark brown hair, the olive complexion, and a smile that lit up any room she entered. She was one of the few in the long line of Potters that had inherited his emerald green eyes. An extremely intelligent woman, she also reminded him of his dear friend, Hermione. Laura was also very adept in the Defense Against the Dark Arts, and had taught the subject for many years while serving as deputy headmistress of Hogwarts.

Harry had served as headmaster of Hogwarts for exactly two hundred years when he retired ten years ago. There had been no question in his mind as to who should replace him, and the counsel had concurred without debate. Laura was a fine headmistress and had continued Harry's policies and forward looking ideas.

"No thanks, I'm fine. I have to go to your office and speak with Albus one last time. I'll be here when you return and then we'll take care of the last detail together."

Her eyes started to well up, and threatened to spill over as she said, "Maybe I should just stay here. I can postpone my appointment for a week or so."

Harry took her hand in his and said, "Nonsense. You have known this day was coming since my brother died twenty-five years ago. I need to take care of a few things alone while you are gone." With an encouraging smile, he continued, "This afternoon we'll go to The Garden for one final visit. Now off you go."

She leaned over, kissed him, and then reluctantly apparated to London.

*******

After walking through the castle and its grounds, allowing his mind to wander, Harry returned to his former office. "Well Albus, I guess this will be our last conversation. After two hundred and ten years of this, it's almost difficult to remember what it was like to talk to you in person!"

"Your accomplishments have surpassed all expectations I ever had about you, Harry! You have much to be proud of. You are well prepared for your next stage of existence."

"Next stage?"

"Of course. You will find out shortly."

"One last secret Albus?"

Dumbledore smiled as his twinkling eyes gazed upon Harry for the last time. "Naturally. What would our relationship be...?"

"...Without your secrets about me?" Phoenix song broke Harry's train of thought. He turned around just in time to see Fawkes burst into flame. He walked over and stared into the ashes. As the baby Fawkes emerged from the ashes, Harry understood and smiled.

Returning to the portrait, he said. "Perfect! Albus, you have been far more than a knowledgeable mentor and a wonderful friend. I thank you for everything." Dumbledore smiled and gave a slow nod.

*******

Laura took hold of Harry's arm as they walked to the side of the hill where the Potter Garden had been erected. Harry and Harold had borrowed the Weasley's idea for a family mausoleum. It was a simple, warm, and comfortable place. Two walls angled out slightly from the entrance, with a lower wall at the far end. The center contained a garden complete with a small replica of the waterfall and pool on 'the island'. Magically enhanced plants guaranteed that colorful flowers were constantly in bloom. Walking paths and benches completed the garden area. Hogwarts could be seen over the low wall at the far end.

As they walked along, Harry glanced at the names on the wall to the left, which contained Harold's children, grandchildren, and many of his great-grandchildren. They stopped and studied the wall on the right which contained Harry's own children, grandchildren, and a few great-grandchildren. They continued on to the smaller far wall which contained only six crypts. The brothers had moved their parents remains from Godric's Hollow to the Potter Garden when it was first completed. They had also decided to keep the memorials plain and simple. Only the name, year of birth and year of death was engraved on the warm beige stone - except two.

The two crypts just above eye level read:

JAMES POTTER LILY EVANS POTTER

1960 - 1981 1960 - 1981

Three of the four crypts at eye level were occupied.

SOPHIA PALMISANO POTTER HAROLD JIM POTTER ANTONIA LAFORTEZZA POTTER

1987 - 2124 1980 - 31 JULY - 2205 1985 - 2127

Harry put his hand on Antonia's grave and whispered, "Soon, my love."

As Harry sat on the bench next to Laura, she took his arm in hers and leaned her head on his shoulder. Softly, she said, "I hate the idea of engraving your name on that blank stone."

"You won't have to my dear." With a wave of his hand, he completed the wall.

"This really doesn't bother you, does it?"

In a soft, consoling tone, Harry explained. "Death is nothing more than a transition to another life, or another form of existence. The enhancements that Harold and I received after the encounter with Benedict heightened our powers, which in turn prolonged our lives. Barring unforeseen incidents, a wizard's life span is proportional to the power within, as magic prolongs life. We were fortunate in that The Four also slowed our aging process. Believe me, the idea of living two hundred and fifty years without that gift is something I never cared to contemplate."

"I, for one, am thankful for your long life. I can't imagine what my life would have been like without you in it." Holding his arm a little tighter, she continued, "I can't imagine what it will be like not seeing you each day, listening to your stories, and learning from your centuries of experiences. How have you been able to say good-bye to all the friends and family you've known over such a long life? Does it ever get easier?"

Harry looked around at the names on the walls surrounding them. "It is never easy to say that final good-bye. But, as time goes on, you realize that those who have gone before you are never really completely gone; they are always in your thoughts, and in your memories, and in your heart - even when you are not consciously thinking about them."

"The early part of the twenty-second century was hard to deal with for quite a time. Ron died in twenty one twenty three, followed by Sophia in twenty one twenty four, Hermione in twenty one twenty six, and my darling Toni in twenty one twenty seven." He smiled as he shared a memory. "At least she got her wedding wish. On our one hundredth anniversary, the four of us renewed our wedding vows."

With a smile, Laura said, "I remember that - I was eighteen at the time. Somehow it doesn't seem like that long ago."

"Memories have a strange habit of seeming like yesterday, while at the same time, seeming like a lifetime ago. It's all part of the strange and mysterious way life works." He smiled as he looked at the wall in front of him. "After not knowing about each other for over forty years, Harold ended up being the person that was in my life longer than anyone else. I remember the day of the final transformation and learning the truth about being twins. He was the calm mature one, while I kept going off and losing my temper like a spoiled child. I'm thankful we found each other that day in Minneapolis, as it eventually forced the truth to be exposed. I can't imagine what life would have been like without him."

Laura chuckled, "Yeah, you two were quite a pair. Constantly saving the world from power hungry, evil idiots and the like. Sometimes I wonder where the two of you had time to father seven children between you!"

"As I remember, Toni and Sophia had a lot to do with that. We had all the children early in our married lives since we got a rather late start in that department. Of course, Harold had to outdo me by having one more child than I had." He kissed the top of Laura's head and softly said, "I think it's time we had some dinner."

Still holding his arm, Laura started leading him out of The Garden. They stopped for a moment as Harry took one last look at all the names on the walls.

*******

Harry sat on the porch watching the sky change from orange, to deep red, to ever darkening hues of blue. As the sun finally dipped behind the mountain, he noticed lights going on in the castle and his mind flooded with memories. Memories of Ron and Hermione and all their adventures over the years at school. Hermione's record setting run as Minister of Magic and all the progress she had made. He had to smile, remembering that after she retired, she actually wrote, "Hogwarts, A History - Revised and Updated". Ron had made almost miraculous progress in worldwide wizard/muggle relations. Every muggle government in the world knew about, and worked in concert with the wizard governments. Of course, the general muggle population was still in the dark about the wizarding world as the time was still not right for worldwide acceptance. That was something that was sure to come within the next century.

Neville, the chubby klutz that started school with him, had ended up as deputy headmaster after Minerva's death. Ginny's interior decorating and occasion planning business had grown into the largest of its' kind in all of Great Britain.

Aunt Petunia had married Earl O'Callahan five years after Harry's wedding. Earl was a widower, and had retired from the Ministry of Magic after sixty-two years of service. They moved into a cottage in Hogsmeade so Petunia could stay close to her nephews and their ever growing families. Petunia had finally experienced a truly happy marriage. After thirty-seven years together, Earl died. Petunia peacefully followed two months later.

Evan and Cara had married nine months after meeting. For years they split their time between Italy and Britain. Evan had continued to teach while staying on as a part time consultant for Ginny, while Cara had continued her very successful acting career. Once retired, they returned to Minnesota where they happily spent the rest of their years together.

Sean Johnson was a natural, and became the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. He succeeded Neville as deputy headmaster until his retirement. Sean returned to Minnesota, where he became the emissary between the wizarding world and the White House.

Harry and Harold had bought Malfoy Manor, rid the place of all dark magic, and turned it into a home where young orphaned witches and wizards could be raised in an open and happy atmosphere until their eleventh birthday when they went off to school. A second building was erected, allowing the students a place to come home to on holidays. Molly Weasley, the natural mother, ran the place until her death. It has been run by Weasley's ever since.

Harold had peacefully died on their two hundred and twenty fifth birthday. Harry was at his bedside when Sophia appeared and reached out to him. As he took her hand, Harold's soul left his mortal body. The two small sphere's of light hovered for a moment, twinkled, and then vanished.

Harry slowly shook his head as he thought back to his youth when it seemed that he would be the last Potter to ever walk the face of the earth. As it turned out, the Potters had become quite prolific. Harry and Antonia had three children - James, Joanne, and Wesley, who gave them ten grandchildren, who gave them twenty-nine great-grandchildren. He stopped counting after that. Harold and Sophia had four children - Lily, Jacob, Evelyn, and Nicholas, who in turn had thirteen children and they produced another thirty-four. And so it continued. It soon became obvious that the Potters would be around for an exceedingly long time to come!

Putting her hand on his shoulder, Laura said, "Time for dinner grandpa." Taking his arm again, she led him into the dining room.

*******

Staring at the table, he asked, "What is all this?"

"I couldn't decide what to make - so I made a little of all your favorites!"

They slowly ate and talked for a couple of hours. The conversation and stories continued for several more hours in the living room as they finished off the last precious drops of Rosolio Harry still had in the house. He stood up and walked over to the mantle. One by one he studied the pictures. The one of he and Harold on their brooms, the wedding picture of the two couples, and his favorite, Antonia in her wedding gown in Italy. Pictures of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so forth. Leaving one last picture of Ron, Hermione, and himself taken during their first year at Hogwarts.

As the clock chimed midnight, Laura hugged him and said, "Happy Birthday, grandpa."

Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he said, "Thank you dear. Always remember, I love you very much and am extremely proud of you." He paused and continued with a sigh. "It's time you returned to your house."

Tears started to drip down her cheeks as she whispered, "You shouldn't be alone for this."

In a futile attempt to dry her tears, he gently wiped her face with his hand. "Oh, I won't be alone. You shouldn't let yourself get so upset, after all, I'll be on your office wall shortly, and you can talk to me anytime."

She closed her eyes and slowly nodded as the tears continued to fall. She held him for a long time before they started walking down the hall. Harry gave her one last kiss and watched her walk into the other house. He waved his hand and the red fog appeared.

*******

Harry changed into the robes Antonia had given him for his first welcoming feast as headmaster, as they had always been his favorite. He propped up the pillows on the bed in such a fashion as to support his back. He used the pillow Dobby had made for their wedding gift for his head. He looked at the figurine of the Fountain of Trevi on his nightstand, and gently touched it with the tips of his fingers. Softly, he repeated the words he had memorized over two hundred years ago, "A love to last a lifetime, frozen in a single moment."

Out of the stillness and dim light of the bedroom, Harry saw dozens of small, dull spheres of light appear. The Four appeared in the far corner, just below the ceiling. Without a sound, they stretched out their arms. The spheres gradually took on a translucent appearance of their earthly bodies. Harry's family and friends crowded the room. Albus, Minerva, Hagrid, Severus, Shinotqua, Sean, Mary, Dennis, Evan, Cara, Ginny, Neville, Ron, Hermione, and the triplets, along with the rest of the Weasley clan. Petunia, Earl, Sirius, Harry and Harold's children, and their children. Lily and James, Harold and Sophia, and finally - Antonia.

Harry stared at the serene faces gazing upon him, somewhat overwhelmed. He had expected - something, but nothing like this!

Being closest to him, Antonia reached out to him and repeated the rest of the words he had started only moments before; "My love is yours for eternity." A gentle smile on his face, Harry reached out to her. As they touched, Harry's soul left his mortal body and joined his beloved wife. The spheres of light and The Four silently disappeared.

At that same moment, the crystal paperweight, Harry's wand, and the red fog - vanished.

*******

Laura carried out Harry's wishes for an interment that evening. While the night sky shared only a sliver of the moon, millions of stars glistened in the blackness above.

As Harry had requested, it was a simple service in The Garden, with only family present. Of course, the family filled the entire area.

As Laura concluded her words, dozens of small dull spheres of light appeared over their heads. They couldn't help but notice that one sphere was a tiny bit brighter than the others. Laura whispered, "Happy Birthday, grandpa." The spheres twinkled and then disappeared.

Laura smiled as she said, "Grandpa once told me that certain rules need to be broken at times. Sorry, grandpa, but this is one of those times." She took out her wand, pointed it at his stone, and engraved one last phrase. The stone now read:

HARRY JAMES POTTER

THE BOY WHO LIVED

1980 - 31 JULY - 2230