Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Reimagined

As Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached the clearing in the Forbidden Forest, all seven Horcruxes destroyed*, they realize that they are outnumbered and outmatched. Voldemort and his Death Eaters surround them, their wands at the ready.

Harry feels a sense of despair wash over him. He knows that he cannot win this battle alone. But then, as if by magic, something no one ever expected happened: Arthur Weasly marched in, a Glock 19 in his hand, and with a newfound sense of courage, shot Voldemort right in the middle of his (nonexistent) nose. 

For a moment, everything is still. Voldemort stares at Arthur, then at Harry, his face twisted with rage. Then he drops to the ground, finally defeated. His Death Eaters turn and run; the pureblood families who funded them not too far.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood there, watching their enemies disappear into the night. And then, slowly but surely, they realize that they have won. Voldemort has been defeated, and they have emerged victorious.

Over the next few weeks and months, the Wizarding world is transformed. The change isn’t instant; there is incredible pain, people lost, and homes destroyed. But slowly, as the remaining death eaters are tried and arrested, some pardoned, and most kissed for their crimes, people come out of hiding, and the streets are filled with laughter and joy. After twelve grueling months of rebuilding and tying up loose ends, the Golden Trio meets at The Forbidden Forest, just by Hagrid’s hut. They hug, and just as the sun sets over Hogwarts, three resounding pops of apparition ring. They don’t see each other again for 10 years.

10 YEARS LATER (ALMOST)

Le lion d'Or, the French Bakery, has been doing incredibly well. With its signature sticky toffee pudding and numerous branches in Paris, it plans to expand to London now. And the owner? Why, the man, the legend, the boy who lived- Harry Potter. After the War, he disappeared for much of the Wizarding Public and took some much-needed time off in France, finally finding his passion in Patisserie. With ten years spent soul-searching and finding himself, Harry is now a changed man and can’t wait to open the newest branch of Le lion d'Or opening in London next month.

Meanwhile, in Australia, a Guinness Record is awarded to one Hermione Granger for being the youngest person ever to hold 100 patents. You see, after oblivitating her parent’s memories, Hermione headed to Australia to return their memories to them. Now reunited with her parents, she channeled her energy toward becoming a Transfiguration Master, and become one, she did. On the other side of the world, Professor McGonagall finally announced her retirement and approached Hermione to return to her alma mater again as a Professor. 

Over at Hogsmeade, a very successful Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes watches as first-year students walk in and their faces light up with joy. Over at the counter, Ron Weasly, co-owner of the store with George Weasly, scratches his beard, content at carrying the torch Fred left behind. Scorpius Malfoy and Trevor Longbottom can be seen through the glasses, roaring in delight at the little snitches flying around in the sky, trying to catch them. 

Little did Harry, Hermione, and Ron know that just a few days later, they would be reunited, once again watching the sun rise from under the Black Lake as the Wizarding World watches in triumph. 

*In this iteration, Harry never became a Horcrux