The magic gradually subsided, the heat slowly faded, but the silence endured.
"I suppose it's all over, isn't it?" Dumbledore turned to face everyone at Hogwarts.
Harry could no longer contain his emotions. He rushed forward and stopped before Dumbledore. "P-Professor... is this real? Is all of this really happening?" His voice trembled.
Kindness filled Dumbledore's eyes. He patted Harry on the head like an old grandfather stroking his own grandson. "Of course. It's all real."
Dumbledore's gaze slowly swept across the ruined Hogwarts. He saw rubble, bloodstains, and people full of hope.
"I'm sorry. I failed to protect you properly." Grief filled Dumbledore's eyes. His beloved school had been damaged, and his beloved students had been hurt.
Crying spread through the crowd. Some wept with joy, while others mourned endlessly.
"Professor, Voldemort...?"
"Reduced to ashes."
"Then... that snake?"
"Just like its master." Dumbledore pointed at the ashes on the ground.
"Looks like everything's fine here too. Seems I'm not needed after all. But is that boy the student you always said was your favorite?" Grindelwald asked, pointing at Eli among the crowd.
Dumbledore looked in the direction of his finger, smiled, and nodded. "Yes." He waved to Eli.
"How did you recognize him? You've never met him."
Grindelwald snorted. "He's the most irritating-looking one."
With that, he vanished from where he stood.
Eli suddenly noticed movement beside him. Space exploded with a sharp crack, and Grindelwald appeared at his side.
"Let me tell you something, boy. You're not the only one Dumbledore has called his favorite student." With that, he disappeared again. Eli shook his head helplessly.
Voldemort was dead, completely and utterly dead. Magic might have been miraculous, but it could not turn a pile of ashes back into a living person.
The Death Eaters were completely disbanded