Hogwarts: Harry Potter's Return from the Witcher World-Chapter 476: Perhaps One Day, We Shall Meet Again (Finale)

Chapter 476: Perhaps One Day, We Shall Meet Again (Finale)

The words cut deep.

James opened his mouth but had nothing to say.

Lily stood stiffly. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

To the Order of the Phoenix, they were heroic warriors. To most witches and wizards, saviors of the world. But facts were facts—absent for seventeen years of Harry’s life, they had undeniably failed as parents.

"Don’t take it to heart," Harry said gently. "Professor Snape didn’t exactly fulfill his duties as a teacher either."

Snape didn’t argue. He gave a cold snort, but didn’t turn away.

He had been responsible to Harry.

Spent countless nights refining potions for him—but only for him. He knew very well that as a professor, he was far from the gold standards of McGonagall, Sprout, or Flitwick.

James grasped Harry’s hand. "I’m sorry, we—"

"Don’t worry, Dad," Harry cut him off. "The culprit has been dealt with."

They may have been absent parents, but it hadn’t been by choice.

And Witchers weren’t built to deal with such grief.

"Voldemort’s dead?" Lily asked, surprised.

Harry nodded. "Yes. Dead."

James beamed. "That’s the best news. How’s Remus? And Sirius—do you know him?"

The last question carried deeper emotion.

To those who didn’t know the truth, Sirius looked like a traitor. But James and Lily had never doubted him.

"Godfather’s doing well," Harry replied quietly—and those few words made James and Lily smile brightly.

"Uncle Remus is doing great too. Snape and I developed a cure for lycanthropy. He’s normal now, married, and has a child. Sirius is his kid’s godfather."

"Oh, and Sirius still hasn’t found a girlfriend," he added.

James glanced at Snape, expression complex. "Snivellus, never thought you’d actually do something good."

"Arrogant fool," Snape said, puffing his chest. "I’m the youngest Potions Master, Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Head of Slytherin House. Curing lycanthropy was a trivial project."

"That accomplishment made me vice-chairman of the Potions Guild. When Albus finally retires, I’ll be Deputy Headmaster."

He spoke dryly, completely ignoring the question James had posed.

James feigned amazement. "The magical world must be going downhill if you managed all that."

"You’re dead—you wouldn’t understand brilliance," Snape retorted.

James clapped. "Brilliant enough to get your arm broken by my son in third year?"

"Potter!" Snape narrowed his eyes.

James raised a hand with a flick.

Snape, reflexively, cast a Shield Charm.

James doubled over laughing. "Oh Merlin, look at you jump."

"Levicorpus!" Snape snapped.

James floated upward, twisting midair. But halfway up, the spell reversed. James grinned and stuck out his tongue. "Don’t look so hopeful, Snivellus. You couldn’t handle me then, and you still can’t."

Snape couldn’t take it anymore. They began trading insults.

Lily gently pulled Harry and Hermione aside. "Let the boys have their bickering. You won’t be able to stay long, right?"

"Tell me everything about you. And who’s this young lady?"

Hermione nervously nodded. "Hello, ma’am. I’m Hermione."

"Hermione Granger," Harry added, squeezing her hand. "A brilliant witch, just like you, Mum. And she’s my girlfriend."

Lily beamed at them.

How wonderful.

Her child had grown up healthy—and found someone wonderful.

She could only see the result, not be part of the journey.

Harry told them his story.

He didn’t embellish or hide. He told the truth.

Growing up with the Dursleys, crossing worlds due to celestial alignment, becoming a Witcher, returning to Hogwarts, the yearly adventures, and his complex relationship with Snape.

The men eventually stopped arguing and joined them, listening as Harry recounted everything.

Right up to graduation.

"Harry, you’ve done far more than your mother and I ever imagined," James said, voice heavy.

Harry smiled faintly. "Well, without parents, you find other ways to make up for it, right?"

Lily lowered her head, quietly wiping away tears.

James spoke again, eyes on the glowing Resurrection Stone clutched in Harry’s palm. "It’s not the best time to ask this—but Harry, why did you come find us?"

Harry replied softly. "Don’t worry, Dad."

"I’m not here to use the Resurrection Stone for anything."

"I just wanted to see you. To tell you face-to-face, I’m doing well. Everything’s fine."

He paused, tightening his grip on Hermione’s hand.

"I grew up strong. I’m a great Seeker."

"My grades are excellent. Straight ’O’s on my NEWTs."

"I have someone I love—and who loves me."

"Remus, Sirius, even Aunt Petunia—they’re all healthy and doing fine."

"That’s all I wanted to say."

James and Lily breathed a sigh of relief. They had feared Harry might try to defy death.

"Harry, you really are extraordinary," Lily whispered.

The living couldn’t remain long in the world of the dead.

Time to say goodbye.

Lily hugged Hermione. "Take care of Harry, future Mrs. Potter."

Harry hugged James as well.

"Snivellus, I hope I never see you again," James called loudly.

Snape curled his lip. "Arrogant twit, I feel the same."

"Rest assured, I’ll outlive all of you."

"Especially that bastard Black."

Lily turned to Snape and said her second—and final—sentence to him: "Thank you."

Snape flinched slightly. He shook his head. "You’re welcome, Mrs. Potter."

Then, after a pause, he added: "It was Albus who insisted I come with Harry. If the cloak had been big enough, I would’ve brought Mrs. Snape too—to show her how insufferable that arrogant twit still is."

Hermione stared at him, astonished. She knew Snape had no wife—or even a prospective one.

Lily smiled but said nothing.

James made a face.

Harry, hand-in-hand with Hermione, waved. "Goodbye, Mum. Dad."

"Maybe one day, we’ll meet again here."

(The End)