A/N: This is for all the wonderful reviewers with enquiring minds who really really really wanted to know who got The Wand. This is really really really the end of this story. I mean it. Really.
Thanks to my pre-beta Pippin and my betas Thalia Chaunacy, Ara Kane, and Magnolia Mama. Standard disclaimers apply...
Chapter 6 - Epilogue
Albus Dumbledore stood in front of his office window, gazing across the Hogwarts grounds with his bright blue eyes. From his vantage point he could see across the wide expanse of lawn to the Quidditch pitch and the Forbidden Forest beyond. Although the sun shone brightly on this first day of September, Dumbledore's thoughts were distracted enough not to enjoy the beauty outside. The students, both old and new, were returning to school today and would be arriving in just a few short hours. One student in particular, Dumbledore had decided, would need special tutoring.
Extraordinary, Dumbledore thought, remembering the letter he received earlier in the summer from Horace Ollivander and the subsequent meeting. Simply extraordinary! He remembered every word Ollivander had written:
My dear Albus;
I have made the most astonishing discovery! Quite by accident, I discovered the hiding place of the most significant magical object I have ever encountered. I will not go into details here as I am concerned, as I know are you, with revealing too much information. Suffice to say that one of your returning students purchased said object and will need assistance.
Please meet me at The Three Broomsticks on 2nd August for luncheon. I have taken the liberty of reserving a private dining room so that we may talk freely. Until then, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Horace Ollivander
Remembering the delightful lunch and much thought-provoking conversation, Dumbledore stared sightlessly out the window, seemingly oblivious to his office behind him. Sunlight spilled through the high mullioned windows and landed in brilliant splotches on the carpets. Hogwarts' former headmasters and headmistresses were or appeared to be dozing in their portraits which lined the walls of the circular room. Spindly-legged tables supported numerous silver instruments, some working and some not, some broken and some whole. His scarlet and gold phoenix, Fawkes, sat alertly on his perch. Parchment was spread over the large desk and books of every kind were stuffed into bookshelves along the walls. Three squashy chintz armchairs had been conjured in front of the desk, waiting for his visitors.
As if the thought had summoned them, a knock sounded on his door.
"Come," he called. In came Professor Filius Flitwick, the tiny Charms teacher, accompanied by Professor Minerva McGonagall, no-nonsense Transfiguration teacher and Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. These three instructors, who taught the courses specific to wand use, would be the special student's primary tutors.
Dumbledore took the time to do something he rarely did in his own office: he cast Silencing Charms on the room and placed Imperturbable Charms on the windows and door. The three professors looked at each other in puzzled astonishment.
"My friends, what I am about to share with you is to go no further than this room. The information I have is vital to the mission of the Order, and will, I think, be pivotal in the war against Voldemort, not to mention to the life of one of our students," began Dumbledore....
Two hours later, his office now empty of the other professors, Dumbledore sat quietly with his eyes closed. Yes, the plan for additional tutoring would work. More one-on-one instruction and testing of the wand's abilities was the key. He knew Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Shacklebolt would rise to the challenge. Fawkes let out a gentle trill and Dumbledore opened his eyes and nodded. It was time to greet the students in the Great Hall for the feast.
A cacophony of chattering students stuffing their faces with wonderful foods, the clatter of cutlery and the clunking of goblets filled the Great Hall. First-years had been Sorted, rounding out the four Houses nicely. Dumbledore loved this time of the year, knowing some, if not all, of the students were filled with enthusiasm, and all of them had potential. His gaze lingered on a few select students, beginning with Harry Potter.
He's still troubled, thought Dumbledore sadly. He had done everything he could to make Harry's summer holiday as pleasant as possible, but the boy was still grieving. Of course he is, he thought. Harry's capacity to feel so deeply was what made him both the most powerful and yet most vulnerable of wizards. I am going to do everything I can to make it up to you, Dumbledore vowed.
His gaze then settled on one particular student, the new owner of Ollivander's incredible find. And you, Dumbledore thought with a small smile. You are about to become more important than you have ever imagined.
When the pudding was finished, Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands. The dirty dishes and leftover food vanished in an instant, settling the students down and focusing their attention toward the head table.
"Another excellent feast, and another fine start of the school year. As usual, I have some start-of-term announcements. First, the Forbidden Forest remains forbidden. Second, most everything available from Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes is contraband, the entire list of which is posted outside Mr. Filch's office. Third, I am pleased to announce the addition of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Kingsley Shacklebolt. I'm sure you will find, as an active Auror, that Professor Shacklebolt will provide excellent Defense instruction." Wild applause, much louder from the Gryffindor table, filled the Great Hall as Kingsley stood and bowed regally.
"Now, since we are all befuddled from all the food and drink, it is time to find our beds and be dreamers of dreams. First-years, follow the Prefects. Off you go now!" he announced.
As the noise level rose in direct correlation with the confusion of the students exiting the Hall, both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stood at the end of the head table waiting for the student they had summoned. As the crowd thinned, they were approached by a nervous-looking Gryffindor.
"Come with us, Mr. Longbottom," said Professor McGonagall. "There is something you need to know, and there is something we need to discuss." Both she and Dumbledore smiled kindly at the sixth-year boy, turned, and led him to Dumbledore's office.
~ Finis ~
A/N: One of my fantabulous betas suggested I change which character purchased The Wand at each of the three sites where this story is posted. I must admit I did consider it. But really, I just couldn't give it to Draco!