Eaters and the rebirth of Voldemort ---

But it was applause. All around the walls, the headmasters and headmistresses of

Hogwarts were giving him a standing ovation; they waved their hats and in some cases

their wigs, they reached through their frames to grip each other’s hands; they danced up

and down on their chairs in which they have been painted: Dilys Derwent sobbed

Unashamedly; Dexter Fortescue was waving his ear-trumpet; and Phineas Niggelus called,

in his high, reedy voice, “And let it be noted that Slytherin House played its part! Let our

contribution not be forgotten!”

But Harry had eyes only for the man who stood in the largest portrait directly

behind the headmaster’s chair. Tears were sliding down from behind the half-moon

Spectacles into the long silver beard, and the pride and the gratitude emanating from him

Filled Harry wit h the same balm as phoenix song.

At last, Harry held up his hands, and the portraits fell respectfully silent, beaming

And mopping their eyes and waiting eagerly for him to speak. He directed his words at

Dumbledore, however, and chose them with enormous care. Exhausted and bleary-eyed

Though he was, he must make one last effort, seeking one last piece of advice.

“The thing that was hidden in the Snitch,” he began, “I dropped it in the forest. I

don’t exactly here, but I’m not going to go looking for it again. Do you agree?”

“My dear boy, I do,” said Dumbledore, while his fellow pictures looked confused

and curious. “A wise and courageous decision, but no less than I would have expected of

you. Does anyone know else know where it fell?”

“No one,” said Harry, and Dumbledore nodded his satisfaction.

“I’m going to keep Ignotus’s present, though,” said Harry, and Dumbledore

Beamed.

“But of course, Harry, it is yours forever, until you pass it on!”

“And then there’s this.”

Harry held up the Elder Wand, and Ron and Hermione looked at it with a

Reverence that, even in his befuddled and sleep-deprived state, Harry did not like to see.

“I don’t want it.” said Harry.

“What?” said Ron loudly. “Are you mental?”

“I know it’s powerful,” said Harry wearily. “But I was happier with mine. So . . .”

He rummaged in the pouch hung around his neck, and pulled out the two halves

Of holly tstill just connected by the finest threat of phoenix feather. Hermione had said

That they could not be repaired, that the damage was too severe. All he knew was that if

This did not work, nothing would.

He laid the broken wand upon the headmaster’s desk, touched it with the very tip

of the Elder Wand, and said, “Reparo.”

As his wand resealed, red sparks flew out of its end. Harry knew that he had

Succeeded. He picked up the holly and phoenix wand and felt a sudden warmth in his

Fingers, as though wand and hand were rejoicing at their reunion.

“I’m putting the Elder Wand,” he told Dumbledore, who was watching him with

enormous affection and admiration, “back where it came from. It can stay there. If I die a

natural death like Ignotus, its power will be broken, won’t it? The previous master will

never have been defeated. That’ll be the end of it.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 546