Lost Epilogue #3

It was hard for Harry to lead a normal life, for now was he not only "The Boy Who Lived" but he was also "The One Who Vanquished The Dark Lord". Voldemort had been the darkest and most evil of evil wizards, and it had been quite a task and one that Harry had not achieved without great sacrifices.

A few weeks after the Battle of Hogwarts Harry, Hermione, and Ron were awarded their NEWTs and diplomas from Hogwarts. Then they took an extended trip to Albania, Austria, and France with Ginny, Neville and Luna and stayed in the best wizard 5-star hotels.

Harry proposed to Ginny and she accepted but they wouldn't be married until she finished her last year at Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione became engaged and left for Australia to find Hermione's parents and bring them back.

When they returned, they had a lovely wedding and moved to Diagon Alley to help George in the Joke Shop. Hermione decided to start a library, and with the help of Flourish and Blotts has made a good start.

The trio was pardoned for breaking into Gringots, but Griphook never forgave them for magicking the sword away from him once again. The sword remains at Hogwarts in Professor McGonagall’s office at the topmost tower behind the gargoyle. The new password is “tartan plaid.”

Harry was so interested in wandlore, he became an apprentice to Mr. Olivander, splitting his time between there and staying with Aberforth in the Hogshead, where he is writing a manuscript about the Rise and Fall of The Dark Lord. It will be published by Lovegood publishing and possibly read aloud by Dean Thomas over the wizarding wireless. The wizarding world is anxiously awaiting its completion.

He occasionally stays at Grimmauld Place when he has business at the Ministry. Kreacher is still there to take good care of him and Ginny and their friends. The house elves from Hogwarts took turns cleaning and sprucing up the place to show their appreciation for liberation from the Dark Lord. It’s a bright and happy place, as it should be.

It's now four years later, and Harry is at the Burrow on the eve of his wedding day.

"Hey, mate, are ya nervous? Hagrid and Grawp just arrived, I sure hope that enchantment holds so the neighbors don't panic! Do ya think your aunt and uncle will show up?"

“Yeah, Ron, I am just a bit. I've waited a long time for this!" He smelled that familiar flowery smell and turned to see Ginny in the doorway.

“Mum says to come down and greet your guests! We're about ready for the rehearsal and dinner anyhow." She hastened to Harry's arms and gave him a quick hug and a kiss. "I can't believe tomorrow we'll be married! Come on!" She tugged his hand and he gave himself one more glance in the mirror. A little cleaner than in times past, he surmised, patted his hair down unsuccessfully and left the room.

“Hey, wait for me!,” Ron called. “Yo, Hermione, aren’t you finished changing Fred yet?”

As Hermione shot him an exasperated look and opened her mouth to retort, Ron noticed a very unfamiliar sight out the window. "Harry! Look!"

Dudley was in the yard, looking decidedly out of place, staring up at Grawp with a severely frightened look on his face.

Harry came hurrying out, “Big D! When did you get here?”

“Whoo-oo-oo's that?,” he stammered pointing up at Grawp.

“Him? Oh that's just Hagrid's little brother, he's mostly harmless. Come on and meet everybody! Did you bring your wife?” He hadn't really expected any of the Dursleys to come, but Mrs. Weasley had insisted on inviting them. Dudley had been the only one who responded, he hadn’t been much in touch with them in the years since they’d come out of hiding. Harry was amazed. Dudley would probably be the only Muggle at the ceremony.

At the dinner in the garden later that night, Dudley pulled Harry aside and seemed to have something to tell him. The others were talking and laughing about their favorite battle stories, a little misty-eyed in remembering the ones they had lost. George was a little quieter than usual. Dudley stood there looking down at his feet for a minute as if to muster the courage to speak. "Listen Harry, I never appreciated before what you could do, and now I hear you practically saved the whole country? Those stories are all about you? I guess I should say Thanks."

Harry looked at Dudley, surprised that he had learned to speak so eloquently, and then Dudley continued.

“But another reason I've come, is about Mum. She's sick, Harry, and she's been asking for you.”

“Me? What does she want with me?” Harry was surprised to say the least.

“I’m not sure, Harry, but will you come back with me before you leave on your honeymoon? Dad’s beside himself.”

“Well, I don’t see how I can help, but okay,” promised Harry, trying to keep the incredulous wonder from his voice.

“Great. Now, whatcha got to drink here, Harry”, said Dudley, rubbing his great beefy hands together and heading back to the table. “Is it time for dessert yet?”

-- by zanys