Harry Potter and The Other

In the early days following the defeat of Voldemort, while the hero of the Battle of Hogwarts was kept unconscious under potions at the Black family manor, Britain descended into chaos. One government had fallen, and another had yet to take its place, leaving Kingsley Shacklebolt, one of the most experienced Aurors and a prominent member of the Order of the Phoenix, in charge. He imprisoned all captured Death Eaters in Azkaban, organized hunts for those who had fled, and oversaw the remaining Ministry operations, ensuring order was restored to the battlefield. The dead were identified and, by decision of the war committee led by Shacklebolt, were given a solemn burial in a memorial mass grave honoring the decisive battle.

Harry Potter was missed, but Arthur Weasley announced that the hero had been struck by a dangerous curse during the battle and was now in a secure location undergoing long-term treatment. The Weasleys, now at the height of public acclaim, were not questioned. After all, the main symbol of the victory of Light was alive—thank Merlin.

A few days later, when the general disorder had subsided and most of the emergency tasks were completed, the question of a new Minister arose in magical Britain. Naturally, Kingsley Shacklebolt, who had done so much to restore order, became the obvious choice. His first public action as the new Minister was a press conference dedicated to the victory, with an awards ceremony for those who had particularly distinguished themselves.

The heroes of the Battle of Hogwarts took the stage. The Weasley family, including Fleur and Fred, Hermione Nearly-a-Weasley, Harry's classmates, and a few notable Aurors who had fought in the battle were all present. After the heroes were awarded Orders of Merlin of various degrees, the journalists swarmed them.

"Mrs. Weasley, how did you manage to defeat such a dangerous Death Eater as Bellatrix Lestrange?"

Mrs. Weasley, in a bright, colorful robe, dabbed at the tears of excitement and happiness with a well-worn handkerchief.

"That terrible woman almost killed my only daughter!" she exclaimed—though she wouldn't admit that Bellatrix hadn't seen her as a threat and had foolishly left herself open.

"Mr. Fred Weasley, your name was published in the list of the dead. What caused this mistake?"

"When I was crushed under a piece of the wall, I lost consciousness, and they thought I was dead. But Madam Pomfrey recognized the rescuers' mistake and healed me."

"Mr. Neville Longbottom, how did you feel when you killed Voldemort's beloved snake?" With the Dark Lord gone, people were getting used to calling him by name.

"Er… Harry said it had to be killed, so I killed it," mumbled Neville, blushing with embarrassment.

"So you were motivated by a sense of duty to Britain?"

"Yeah," he confirmed, relieved.

"Miss Lovegood, you showed exceptional bravery in the Battle of Hogwarts. How did you manage that?"

Luna was nudged in the side, and she absentmindedly responded, gazing over the audience, "The Wrackspurts told me it wasn't my time yet."

"How fascinating, Miss Lovegood! I wish I had Wrackspurts like yours!"

"You do," Luna replied in the same dreamy tone. "Listen to them, and they'll tell you."

"Miss Granger, during the difficult years of the struggle against Voldemort, you stood by the Chosen One, supporting, encouraging, and guiding him. Your contribution to the victory is invaluable. Have you already decided what you will do in peacetime?"

"Yes, I have. I will fight for the rights of magical minorities—Muggle-born witches and wizards, house-elves, werewolves, Veela, vampires, and other sentient magical beings. Every sentient creature deserves equal rights with others."

"Ahem... even vampires?"

"Of course."

"And how do you plan to handle their right to... um... feed?"

"We'll organize a network of donor centers throughout Britain, where every wizard will be required to donate blood regularly to feed the vampires. It is our duty to help all sentient beings living alongside humans."

"Miss Ginny Weasley, what inspired you to fight the Death Eaters?"

"My place is always by my beloved," Ginny said passionately, dressed head-to-toe in new clothes. "By my Harry."

"Mr. Ronald Weasley, you're known as Harry Potter's best friend since his arrival at Hogwarts. What can you tell the British public about the national hero?"

"Er, about Harry? Well... he's just like me. And he's really good at Quidditch."

"How wonderful that the Chosen One has a friend he can always rely on in difficult times! Have there been moments when Harry especially needed your support?"

"Yeah, I always told him not to hang out with those slimy Slytherins. They could've easily wormed their way into his trust if it weren't for me! Harry's so simple, he needs someone to tell him who's a friend and who's not."

"One more question. Now that you're both famous throughout Britain, and you and Miss Granger have been awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class—what are your plans for the future? What will you do next?"

"I'll go into Quidditch; they'll take me anywhere now," Ron blurted out without thinking.

The time allotted for questions ended, and Kingsley Shacklebolt took the stage. He had only learned the previous day that Dumbledore had not died at the Astronomy Tower, but he had already come to terms with the joyous news and was ready to announce to the world that the Great Light Wizard had faked his death to mislead the enemy and secretly led the resistance. Now, he had returned from hiding.

Shacklebolt delighted the audience with the sensational announcement of Dumbledore's return from the underground and clapped as he looked toward the wings. From there, a tall, white-bearded old man in a pointed violet hat with golden stars and a matching starry-robe gracefully floated onto the stage. The old man bowed to the wildly applauding crowd, then embraced Ron and Hermione by the shoulders, led them to the front of the stage, and bowed again. Journalists' cameras clicked nonstop, and elderly ladies wiped tears of joy from their eyes.

"My dear friends!" Dumbledore began. "The enemy is now defeated, and I can be candid with you. During the trials we faced, I was not the only one who went into hiding to foil the enemy's plans! Finally, you will learn of other fighters against evil whom you thought dead, who secretly opposed the enemy all these years. I am happy to inform you that Harry Potter's parents are alive!"

Under thunderous applause, Lily and James Potter walked onto the stage. They were warmly received, and the public's love and adoration poured over them just as much as it did for Dumbledore.

Sirius Black wasn't so lucky. He hadn't yet been exonerated by the court, and Dumbledore convinced him to wait a little longer before returning to the world of the living.

Severus Snape didn't fare much better. Dumbledore gently explained that it was still too soon to resurrect such a controversial figure as the former Death Eater. Time would have to pass.

As for Lupin, he might have had his moment, but bringing him back required a living Lupin. When Dumbledore found the werewolf again, living among his kin in a small werewolf community on the outskirts of Britain, Lupin sent the former headmaster packing. Dumbledore didn't insist.

Fame changes people. The war wouldn't have happened without Lupin, but the national celebration could do without him.