All The Magical Worlds

All The Magical Worlds By Journeyman Harper (JourneymanHarper@yahoo.com)

Note: All characters are property of J.K. Rowling, her publisher, Warner Brothers, and their respective holders, etc, etc. This work is pure, original fiction.

The moon shone through the window next to his bed. It had slowly followed its ordained path through the night sky, casting the white glow throughout the castle and its grounds. At one position, and only for a short moment, the rays focused and streamed through the colored glass, staining his bed red in a sea of spilt blood. The blood of those who had died, while he waited in uncertain guilt and despair on not knowing how to act.

The moon continued its destined route, and the bed shortly was bathed in emerald green. Avada Kedavra immediately came to mind, the green being the last color anything living saw before the spell ripped life from the victim. The blood and the means. Together, they had symbolized what Death Eaters had been. So many had died or suffered, muggles and wizards alike. In the last few years, he had felt each one go, and the vicious pleasure it caused the killer. For their minds were linked in such a way that neither could truly control it.

One more color to go. As the moon eased into blue, a sparkling clear blue that had been just like Albus Dumbledore's eyes. He was gone now. By design, circumstance, or other reason Dumbledore had finally been overcome under the most bizarre circumstances. He had been there, helpless to change it. But he saw it. And could not stop seeing it.

This was his seventh year at Hogwarts. Seven years of friendship, seven years of labor and work and Quidditch and so many things they had all done. Even the fight with Voldemort, his friends had been with him through it. Love had been more powerful than the Dark Lord. But it had been a fierce love, an infinite resolve, that had done it.

The Dark Lord was gone; did anyone remember? It had been three months ago. The wizarding world had cheered on for less than a week. Then the nitpicking had started. Why did he wait so long? Why this, why that. Why, why, why. They had questioned him and harassed him like an adult on trial, not a seventeen year old who had known about the wizarding world and his destiny for six short years. He had finally stopped trying to answer, and in fact stopped talking at all.

But the debate raged. Ungrateful wretches. The Ministry received and gave its share of criticism. It seemed like now, everybody knew of a better way to finish off Voldemort. Why didn't they act? Where was everyone else when Harry had needed them?

He knew the answer, of course. Comfortable in their way of life, they were unwilling to take a risk knowing that someone else was going to be responsible. He just wanted to get on with life, whatever that was going to be. But the wizarding world wouldn't let him.

He and Ginny hadn't worked out. She had no patience for all the nay-saying and eventually they had broken up. It had not been a violent breakup; more that she had realized that he would never be left alone and she couldn't take that. He understood, but didn't say that he had hoped that they could get past that. It was just as well, as he had realized that there was a part of him that he could not deny. When she would find out about it, it would hurt her terribly if they were still together.

Blue passed to clear. The moonlight bathed him in its pure white light, changing blue to alabaster. Blood washed away; death spells quieted, and Dumbledore's accusing crystal blue laid to rest. Usually, either he could sleep or not after the moon had passed its ritual. Tonight, he would not sleep.

He sighed, got up, dressed in some old faded robes, and went down to the common room. The fire had been banked; the house elves had been through settling the furniture and pillows where they belonged. He cast an invisibility spell on himself, not needing the cloak anymore, and went out into the castle. The stairs had stopped moving, and the castle was at peace in its quiet echo-filled silence. Tomorrow the horde of students would flow through its veins in their chaotic way, but at night it was gently at rest.

He slid through one of the side doors out onto the grounds, and went down to the lake. There were no Dementors now. The moon cast a silvery line through the still water as he crouched alone, on a rock near its edge. Quiet surrounded him carefully. The noises of the night continued as his haunted eyes scanned the water, his mind far, far away in a tenuous zone of protectiveness. He willed himself to see hope, far out on the lake, a tiny flicker of hope. But it wasn't there.

The lake would offer him an end, though. Harry was not afraid of death. Those who feared death had something positive to live for. He could not put a name to anything right now. He could not sleep, could not do school without the continuous commentary, even from Ron and Hermione. Bill Weasley's injury had soured Ron, and Hermione had become so critical that he hadn't seen or spoken to them in days, maybe even weeks. They also had become more concerned about each other. He didn't hold that against them, but even Hagrid had become chill and critical before his departure. Maybe the only peace he could achieve was through the ultimate end.

He started to consider that, again, as he had each night he made it to the lake for the past month. He never had succumbed yet. But the additional burden of the direction his interest had taken was just overwhelming. He longed for peace, and he longed for someone to love him. Both were denied him in this life.

He had just made up his mind, and was gathering courage when the water rippled in front of him. His eyes opened wide as one of the mer-people arose partway out of the water. Harry had seen them during the Triwizard Tournament; but he had never had the opportunity to see one up close. He wondered if they could speak.

Harry bowed his head slightly. "Hello."

The merman cocked his head slightly, and then whispered, "Hello, young earth-man. What brings you to our lake, tonight?"

One word arose from Harry. "Death."

The whisper contained a boundless stream of music in it. "Ahhh. Your own?"

Harry could not speak. The hurt, the turmoil, the pain all rose in his eyes. His silence answered the question.

"I see. So brave, three short years ago, so noble. So different you are now. All the worlds rejoice in your deed, Harry Potter. Are you not satisfied?"

Vibrant words rebounded inside Harry. Ready to let loose with his frustration on this numb-nut of a creature, he caught himself just in time. All the worlds?

"What do you mean, all the worlds?"

"Harry Potter, you saved more than humans with your end of the Dark Lord." Harry spun around to this new voice, deep and resonant. A centaur stood there, listening until it had spoken. "Centaurs, giants, house elves, mer-people, and even muggles have had a great fear lifted. We have all known loss from the Dark Lord in many ways. You have ended it for us. We did not have the power to fight back."

"He is right, great Harry Potter." Dobby had joined them. Nodding quickly, he continued, "Great evil is now gone and is no more. All the magical worlds feel it."

The centaur spoke. "It would be a great sadness for the one whom we are so grateful to and hold in such high regard to be lost."

Harry was quiet, stunned. "I had no idea that Voldemort was so far-reaching in his corruption. I am sorry I could not have done it sooner."

Dobby spoke next. "You, sir could not have done it any sooner."

"You were just learning. Even afterwards, you are still learning. It happened faster than we had hoped." The centaur pawed the earth. "Why are you down here with Death on your mind?"

And so he told them about his humans, the ones who could not help but question his actions. He told them about their opinions, their need to blame, explain, and the resulting distain and criticism. They listened impassively, until he got near the end when he had stated that he just wanted peace, and death seemed the only escape.

The centaur regarded him thoughtfully. "There is something more, something more fundamental that you are not telling us. Can you trust us, please?"

Why not? "Dobby, you interact more than they do. You may not tell anyone." Dobby nodded, and Harry continued, "I also want to find someone who will love me, and whom I can love in return. I can not see how it can happen."

"Why not? It seems fairly routine to humans."

Deep breath, then, "Because I am looking for a boy to love, not a girl."

"Harry Potter is gay?" This was from the merman.

"Yes. I am gay." There, he had said it.

The centaur seemed puzzled. "That is not uncommon in humans."

The merman had it right, though. "It would give his own another reason to criticize and be accusatory."

All three understood. "Harry Potter, the night is almost over. We will find a way to help as a small token of our gratitude for what you have done for us. You will promise not to end your life until we have spoken again?"

Harry nodded. "I promise." And the others melted into the background.

Harry made his way slowly back to the castle. He used a cleansing spell on himself so he would not have to go back to the dormitory. He would be first for breakfast as usual. He had eaten and was done before any other Gryffindor had come down. But he was alive. That gave him a little flicker of hope, and of gratitude to all the other magical worlds.

That night he slept. He missed the moon in the clouds, and without its steady path across the window he was able to achieve a tenuous sleep. The centaur, the merman, and the house elf teased his mind. No accusations, no nitpicking, just honest gratitude that he had done what he did. The nightmares of that event still haunted him. His friends, sleeping nearby had known that he had nightmares his entire school experience, but there was nothing they could do about it, and so they stopped trying. One more step towards isolation.

Morning came, and he was gone. When he did sleep, he had taken to running in the morning. He usually ran down to the lake and partway around it. No matter what the weather. As this morning, he was feeling a little refreshed as he turned around for the return trip, when suddenly he found a centaur running with him. An easy gait for the centaur, it just smiled at him and ran along side. Harry smiled slightly, nodded in greeting, and continued his run. They ran together until the turn back to the castle, at which point the centaur stopped him.

"Harry Potter, it was enjoyable to run this morning with you. Since Hagrid left, we are not as well tended, and we miss him."

Harry bowed slightly. "Sir, I run most days in the morning. If you or the others need something, let me know and I will get it for you as best as I can."

The centaur bowed as well. "That is a most generous offer that we will accept." He looked carefully at Harry. "Will you come down to the lake tonight?"

"If you would like me to come, I shall."

"Please do. We have something for you." And then the centaur ran off.

Puzzled, curious, Harry ran back to the castle. Gryffindor was at breakfast, and Harry went to shower and dress for the day. The water ran over him, and as he washed he regarded himself. He looked good. Muscles, good shoulders, trim, and filled out only just enough so as to add definition and strength. He was not all that muscular, which was fine. Lightweight. Bright green eyes, shiny for a moment. Hair had grown much longer, down to his shoulders. He turned slightly, and that gorgeous butt of his was brought into prominent view. He had the perfect form for a young man. He posed for a moment, and then heard a gasp.

"Hi ... uh, Harry."

This was Colin Creevey, one of the sixth years. He was one of the nicer ones. He was never without his camera. Instinctively, Harry held the pose for a moment longer.

"Where is your camera when you need it, huh?"

Colin gulped, and Harry laughed shortly. "I am done here; see you later." And he took his towel and went back to dress. Colin didn't move for a few moments, and then he ran to a toilet and proceeded to wank furiously for almost an hour. He came four times and was late to class, but the sight of the person he had always idolized, posing nude just for him ... maybe he needed a fifth time.

Harry's day continued until a skirmish started out in the game pens. Professor Grubbly-Plank had apparently fallen and injured herself, and the animals, still restless without Hagrid, were escalating the unrest. As he ran down to the site, he passed a crowd of second year students running the other way, with the professor. Damn. Who would calm down the animals? Well, he would if no one else would.

He got to the pens and began shuffling them back to their places, finding the kinds of food and treats each species liked. Hagrid had taught him well, and the animals all seemed to take comfort in his presence. After all, he and Hagrid had been very close during the other years. He got the hippogriffs back into their pasture, the Skrewts back to their pens, and the various other magical animals home to their own places.

Last, he found the threstrals scattered about. They were very friendly though, and when he whistled they all came to him. He could see them in their odd beauty, invisible to the innocent. Harry was anything but innocent. He was a creature created as a weapon against the Dark, and that doesn't mean he was infused by Light. Harry had learned more about the Dark than many did, but he did it the hard way: in the field. But he was so gentle with the animals, and their innocence pulled him out of his miserable existence. He found that he really needed them, almost as much as they needed Hagrid back.

That had been a surprise. Rubeus Hagrid, who had been open, honest, and introduced Harry to the wizarding world; he had been so damaged by the death of Dumbledore that he never recovered. After the death of Voldemort, the giants had had many casualties, including the king and heir. Hagrid was the next in line by his half-giant blood link, and so they had crowned him in desperation and off he went. Professor Grubbly-Plank was too old to handle the brood except under the best of circumstances, apparently. Harry quietly resolved that if nothing else, he would see to it that the animals were kept well. Their worlds should not be deprived of peace.

When they were all back, with calm reassurances, affection and treats, he stopped to rest on one of the stumps, head in his hands. Good thing he was in shape, because that took a lot of work. A little deep breathing, his eyes closed, he wondered how Hagrid had kept it all together. A tear ran down his cheek, unchecked. Of all the betrayals, of all the nitpicking little persnickety bastards in the human world, Hagrid's loss of faith in Harry had hurt the most.

Something nuzzled his neck. He must have forgotten one. He looked up, and there next to him was a silvery white unicorn. Amazed, he sat very still, hoping it would not go away. It didn't, and it just stood there and nuzzled his neck again. He lifted his head to look at it as it stood peacefully there. It's liquid silver eyes bore into his, and he realized that it was looking for treats and reassurances as well. His face cracked in a grin, and raising one hand to stroke its neck, he offered it a carrot he had been carrying around.

The unicorn munched happily. Harry stroked the magnificent animal along its withers, and back. It was a beauty, and for a few moments time stopped as Harry lost himself in the creature. He spoke soft reassuring words, and, as Hagrid had taught him for horses, checked each of the dainty hooves for damage. The unicorn complied willingly, although it refused to show him its teeth. He got over a little of his awe and casually ruffled the hair between its ears, and the unicorn whinnied in polite laughter. It moved away then, back to the forest.

Harry took his eyes off the unicorn to see that every single other creature in the game area was staring at him. Not a sound, not a peep, not a shuffle. All were watching him. The moment gone from Harry, he sat down and cried. Cried at the trust and affection from the animals, brought to a height by the unicorn, and then knowing it was still there when the rest of humanity turned its back on him, he cried in hopeless despair and at the same time, gratitude that something would accept him and his care. All he wanted was some peace and someone to love. It wasn't that he cried loud, just a quiet, closed-in sobbing. In a way it was more the posture that helped. Alone, outside, the grief and sorrow spilled out in tears to be washed in sunshine.

And the animals watched him, and did not make a single sound.

The sobbing stopped; the tears did not. Harry got up, shook himself, wiped his face with his robe. He regarded the animals with interest and awareness. He would be late for his next class. Tough. He bowed briefly to them, humorously, and their spell was broken as they began to act like normal animals again. Another cleansing spell, and he was at least not muddy or dirty, though somewhat rumpled. He made his way back to Transfiguration.

Professor McGonagall watched Harry closely throughout the double class. She was Headmistress now, and had herself been critical of Harry. She now began to realize the kind of impact that he had had, and how much they all had relied on Albus's judgment. She had been unfair to him. And she had only realized it when the unicorn had departed, and she had seen Harry's misery. She had been amazed, though at the animals and that Harry had been the one to go to them while Grubbly-Plank was in the Hospital Wing. She also realized for the first time that while most of the seventh year students had paired up, each according to their orientation, Harry had not found any kind of a romantic partner. She snorted. Why would anyone? The Boy Who Lived was gone; even The Chosen One was gone; it was now the Boy Who Could Have Done Better in everyone's eyes.

Class ended. Dinner was approaching, and she needed to stop off at her office on the way. As she did so, a student ran up to her, breathless with excitement. There was a centaur waiting for her at the main door. And so Minerva quickly made her way down to the door to meet Firenze.

"Greetings, Firenze. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?"

Firenze looked at her coolly, then with a touch of sincere warmth. "Minerva, I hope you are well. I am here to deliver a message from the entire centaur herd, the hippogriffs, and all the other creatures that are non-human and live in the forest."

Minerva caught her breath. This was unique. "Please go on."

"We have realized that Hagrid will not be returning to us. Is that still the case?"

"I am afraid so."

"Then we ..." the centaur growled slightly, "request ... that Harry Potter be made the new gamekeeper for Hogwarts." The centaur stood proud. "We do not make this statement lightly. We feel that, like with Hagrid, it is in both of our best interests for Harry Potter to take that role. Even the unicorn agreed."

"I shall be happy to discuss your offer with him."

Firenze looked her straight in the eye. "Make sure that he does not decline. I do not say that for our sake alone, but for his and for all the magical worlds that he has saved."

Before her pride could be pinged, she realized that they knew something more than she did about Harry. They weren't giving her an order, but they were very wise and they were being crystal clear on what had to be done. That alone was unusual in itself. She humphed, and said "Thank you. I shall be most persuasive and be guided by your wisdom."

The centaur softened considerably. "Thank you, Minerva. That way a great tragedy may be avoided."

"Have you seen it in the stars, then?"

He was quiet for a moment, then said, "No, we have seen him each night by the lake." And with that the centaur turned and strode back towards the forest.

Minerva had never had such an experience before. Apparently Harry had been going to the lake at night secretively. Well, she was still young enough to recognize her mistakes. She set about a plan, and it started by finding Harry Potter. But he was not to be found. All through dinner, she realized that she hadn't seen him at dinner in at least a week. A flash of irritation went through her at her own lack of observation. She would have to go down to the lake tonight to be sure to talk to him.

Harry was up in the Astronomy tower. He could see all around Hogwarts from here, down to the lake itself, and out over the hills and the forest. The animals had left him very unsettled. They needed someone to watch them, to take care of them, and to defend them. They needed Hagrid. But Hagrid was gone. And somehow, he knew that they wanted him. He respected them, he enjoyed them with their simple understandings and their peculiar reactions. He still wanted the love of one of his own kind, but at least the animals he could love and give to. Halfway was better than nothing.

It grew late. His homework was done. His eyes traveled down to the burned wreck of Hagrid's hut. It had been partially repaired, but it was close to the animals, it was empty, and it was a place for one. He wondered. With Hagrid gone, it could become his place to hide. He had been caught now twice on the Astronomy tower by couples looking for a nice place to snog. Each time there had been pointed comments, and Harry had abandoned his place. And of course, it happened again.

This time, he did not go to bed, but went down to the library. The library was a very public place; Harry almost never went there anymore. But he felt the need to go this time, if only to reaffirm his position. He pulled out "Hogwarts, A History" and began at the beginning.

From across the room, Ron and Hermione watched quietly. Harry had changed considerably. They had been so involved in each other, and truly Harry had been so unsocial recently. They had argued and argued over the Dark Lord and what could have been done sooner, but Harry had brushed it all off and refused to discuss it. He had even been rude enough to tell them that. He had become more like a Slytherin, so much so that he didn't even play Quidditch anymore. Not that anyone would have wanted him to. The two discussed that particular thought in whispers, until it hit Hermione in a special way. They never used to shun him, before the war. For just a moment, each wondered who had really changed. Harry had always had this destiny in front of him. She and Ron had choices, where Harry had none. Ron shrugged. Hermione overcame her own irritation and studied Harry once more, like she used to do.

The Harry that Hermione saw was very physically attractive. The raven-black hair, long in back and the casual brown robes leant him a rough view. Strong features, not diminished by the eyeglasses, framed by a hopelessness and despair that every muscle in his face and his posture let on.

Some students walked by him, and Harry didn't look up. They made some sort of veiled comment, and Harry raised his eyes, burning with intensity in that emerald fire. With no inflection and no hostility, he indicated that he shared their sorrow and then pointedly ignored them. His voice was husky, baritone and beautiful to hear. Hermione wondered what he was thinking, for the first time in months.

She decided to go sit with him. Telling Ron to stay out of it, she got up and moved the couple of yards down and took a seat next to him.

"Hello, Harry. I saw you come in."

"Thanks. How are you and Ron getting on?"

"Fairly well. He has some habits. You?"

"The usual."

"You haven't been around much."

Harry sighed. "You are surprised? I got tired of all the complaints."

She studied him. "Harry, you aren't yourself."

He finally looked at her. She was irritated because he did not fit the mold she had created for him. "No, Hermione, I am myself. I am not, however, the self that you think I am." He smiled sadly. "Follow your dream, Hermione. Our friendship obviously could not survive the end of Voldemort. In a way, even though he died, the life I knew ended. Don't waste your time on the likes of me." As she watched, he stood, being tall and very well shaped, he walked out with a slightly loping walk and a slight stoop.

"Well, really!" And she returned to Ron, who shrugged. His oldest brother was part werewolf because of Harry.

Harry had been desolate before, but now his resolve hardened. This would be his last night. He would keep his last promise, and then face the green fire that would set him free. Or at least end the pain. He returned to the Gryffindor room. No one was around. He packed his meager trunk, sorted his books, and stood. He scanned the room, and then went down to the common room.

So much history here. So many good times, teamwork, hard revision and friendship. What had McGonagall said, when they first arrived? Your house would be your family away from home. Well, his family had shunned him. From the shadow for a moment he watched the room's dynamics go on in animated spirit, not noticing him, and Harry said a silent goodbye, and left. His goal was the lake.

He only encountered one person on the way: Colin Creevey. Colin had met Harry on the stairs, and with a quick look around, stopped him.

"Harry, can I talk to you?"

Harry sighed. "What is it, Colin?"

Colin looked a little uncomfortable. "Not here, somewhere a little more private."

"Not now, then." And he looked wistfully at Colin. Colin had become also quite a nice young man and had been seeing some Hufflepuff girl some weeks ago. Brown hair, a little short on stature, but he was still one of those constant in-motion people and had the build to support it. A part of Harry ached to talk to him, the only one who sincerely seemed to like him anymore. "How is Rebecca?"

"We broke up a while ago. Can we talk now, please?"

"I'm sorry, but not now." Harry looked back towards the tower, and then into Colin's eyes. "Goodbye, Colin." And he started down the stairs.

Colin spent exactly one minute thinking before he ran to find Professor McGonagall.

Invisibility swept down on Harry as he weaved his way through the castle, and out onto the grounds. Down through the forest, to the shore of the lake and onto his rock. Each step was a piece of his choice. Every other step was a reminder that the animals needed him and had placed their trust in him. Each wave of the water was another helpless non-human who needed him, and would be lost without him. And each tree was an accusatory human ready to point out the errors in his ways.

The forest quieted, the moon rose. A full moon, its huge vibrant light bathing the lake in tendrils of glowing white. Pure, clean. Harry lost himself in its beauty and its simple truth. The hours passed, and the tears flowed. So much hurt, so much sorrow. But at his deepest core, Harry could not let the feelings surrender to Death. He would go on, somehow.

Harry slowly realized that there were four others with him. The merman, the centaur, the house elf, and emerging quietly from the mists in the forest, the Headmistress. Minerva McGonagall was humbled to see each of the representatives from the magical worlds in one place together.

The centaur spoke. "Harry, we of the non-human magical worlds have a gift for you." The three moved forward, and each touching Harry's skin somewhere, breathed on him. Suddenly, Harry's ears were alive with the language of all living creatures. "Receive from us the gift of understanding, that the creatures who depend upon you may let you understand their needs and their joys, beyond those of the humans who have damaged you so."

Minerva had tears in her eyes. Harry's eyes had opened wide with the knowledge he was now hearing. A look of wonder crossed his face, and the tears started down his own face. "Thank you, thank you." He brushed the tears away. "I had come down here to make an end. But when I saw you come, I knew that whatever happened, I would not be able to do it. I have to go on." He smiled up to them. "This is a marvelous gift. I hope I can use it effectively."

"You will." Minerva came closer. "I realized you wanted to be an Auror. You still can be, if you choose. Or, it would be my sincere pleasure and great relief to receive you as the new gamekeeper for Hogwarts." As Harry's eyes went wide, she nodded. "Oh yes. I saw how you settled the animals today. And for the first time in my long life I saw the unicorn enjoy getting its hair ruffled." Her mouth formed a hard line. "We all have been far too critical of you, Harry, and have lost sight of the fact that three months ago our very lives were threatened except for you. Now everyone is crying over spilt milk." She snorted. "At least the other creatures have some sense."

The centaur nodded approvingly. Harry stood rooted to the spot. Gamekeeper? It answered all his recent feelings about the wizarding world. New tears ran down his face, as he nodded silently, and very quietly she moved to him and enfolded him in her old but sincerely tender arms as he shuddered. He clung to her for a moment longer, then released her. "Headmistress, I would gratefully accept the position of gamekeeper, effective immediately."

She nodded. "Never was there more of a right path than that." She drew herself up again, and smiled. A weird effect. "I would advise you also finish out your NEWT work, as you never know when that would be useful." She looked around, and stepped back. "I think now that others want to congratulate you."

The centaur stepped forward, bowed and shook Harry's hand. "We are grateful, Harry Potter, and we welcome your care with joy, as you have now saved us twice from difficult times."

"Dobby KNEW you would always be the great Harry Potter sir!!"

Whispering from the merman, "We of the lake welcome you to our haven."

Then they all looked expectantly.

A small voice echoed from behind a tree. "Harry?" Colin Creevey emerged, nervously.

Harry smiled, a sincere smile. "Come on over, Colin. Though I don't know how you found us here."

Colin broke into a run and flung himself onto Harry, clinging tightly. "Oh Harry, I was so scared! When I saw you on the stairs, you were all but dead, I could tell, and I ran and found Professor McGonagall and told her that I thought you were going to do something terrible, and she brought me down here to the lake because I couldn't stop thinking that if you weren't around I couldn't go on either, oh Harry I love you so much and you hardly notice me but after this morning you have to know that I don't carry my camera around anymore and this morning you were so incredibly sexy and hot and I couldn't help myself but stare and you actually posed and it was all I could do not to jump on you right there like I have wanted to for years oh my god somehow I will make you love me I'll do anything anytime anywhere but I love you so much and I will make you love me somehow, I just need a chance ..." he had to stop for breath.

Harry was amazed. He held Colin close, holding the young man against him, and it felt very good. "Colin, you will have your chance. I never knew, never suspected. I have been looking for so long, and it has been so hard recently."

Colin stared into his eyes, and then impulsively stretched himself upwards and brushed his hungry lips across Harry's. Feelings in Harry that he hadn't felt ever awakened and quickly caused him to deepen and continue the kiss. A wealth of emotions spread through them; Colin relief and incredulous joy that Harry was aware now; Harry still amazed and gratified that one person cared enough to be afraid for him, and who loved him. Colin felt so good against him, in all the ways. Neither wanted to let go.

However, a quiet ahem from someone broke the kiss, and the two grinned a little sheepishly. The merman and the centaur were politely smug; Dobby openly snickered (house elves have seen everything, and then some) and Minerva was looking satisfied but a trifle impatient.

Harry only spoke. "Thank you all. I came down here to end my life; and I think I did. What I didn't realize was that I would be starting such a marvelous new one, in all the magical worlds." He and Colin and Minerva began to return to the castle, and the others melted into the darkness.

From that moment on, Harry Potter tended the animals and their worlds. When the new term started, he introduced himself to the first years as Harold, the gamekeeper, and slowly the knowledge of Harry Potter, the notorious faded from discussion. A few years later, wizards and witches could not distinguish Harold from Hagrid in memory anymore, and Harold became the fixture. As with most gamekeepers, he had peculiar tastes, an incredible depth of knowledge and magic, and was not particularly social. He had a wild look, with his very long raven-black hair and a carefully trimmed short beard, and the piercing eyes of emerald fire. He lived in the cottage, and had regular visits from Professor Creevey who had specialized in Charms. And some evenings, in the very late hours, if one listened very carefully and closely one could hear the sounds of two persons enjoying themselves in their intimacy together, one eventually crying out "Oh, Harry!" in joy and pleasure.

Author Note: This would be my guess as to how Book Seven, would end. Please enjoy. I wrote this when I was very down, and when it was done it had helped a great deal.