Epilogue: 19 Weeks Later
For the past two months, I have been trying to answer the question all Potter fans have wondered since Deathly Hallows: What happens next? I constantly wonder how the wizarding world rebuilt itself and moved on after decades of terror and grief. It couldn’t have been easy, yet immense progress occurred between Voldemort’s last breath and the Hogwarts Express leaving King’s Cross with Harry’s three children 19 years later.
I’ve looked into what may have happened 19 minutes after the battle and 19 days since then. Now I go even further to envision what the wizarding world looked like 19 weeks after that final fight. How much would have returned to normal? What would still be left to treat?
At that point, it would be one week into the new Hogwarts term. McGonagall would be serving her first year as Headmistress, which begs the question of whether a new professor had been brought on to take over Transfiguration, or if she continued with her teaching position. The castle would essentially be fully repaired at this point; perhaps a few loose ends would still need work, but everything needed to run the school would be up and functioning. Ginny and Luna would be back to finish their last year, alongside Hermione, who wanted to make sure she completed her education.
Harry and Ron were starting their Auror training at the Ministry with Kingsley comfortably settled into his job as Minister of Magic. Trials would be complete with all prisoners finally locked away in Azkaban. Muggle-borns would have had their wands and property restored, with everyone returning to their normal jobs. Even Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and Ollivanders would be open for business once more, prepared to put a smile on every child’s face in hopes of never seeing a frown or tear again.
The days would be easier. As September began, a sense of normalcy would return – children going off to school, families shopping in Diagon Alley, and the leaves preparing to change to their autumn colors. Molly Weasley would be able to smile every once in a while, never forgetting her fallen son but sworn to live every day in his memory. Witches and wizards attended weddings instead of funerals and birthdays were celebrated with glee rather in fear of this being their last.
I wonder, would the fear return in saying “Lord Voldemort”? For the beginning half of the series, no one besides Harry and Dumbledore spoke those two words when referring to the Dark wizard; now that he was gone for good, would the world still fear the name? Or would the wizard population feel comfort in addressing the man for who he was? And how long would it take for the Ministry of Magic to ensure that he truly was not coming back?
Can you think of other things that may have occurred 19 weeks after the final battle? Comment below, and come back next month for the final installment, 19 months later.
Want more? Check out “19 Minutes Later” and “19 Days Later.”
