chee_sin
Joined: Jul 22, 2007
Posts: 58
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 Posted: August 22, 2007 10:57 am Post subject: Chapter Thirty-Seven |
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well i posted this in other areas because i didn't notice this section for fanfiction before. well anyways its a work in progress, i can't find much time to write since classes have started but ill do my best.
Remembrance
The following weeks were riddled with celebration, yet for many a period of mourning and reconstruction ensued. The casualties of the battle of Hogwarts were large in number, leaving families and friends alike at a loss. Many areas of the great castle of Hogwarts had been destroyed in the battle, leaving piles of rubble in place of once great corridors. The damages would soon be fixed; everything returning back to its original state, nevertheless no one could argue that a great deal of history and magic had been lost with the destruction of the original structure.
Harry continued to find himself immersed in waves of praise and grief, receiving recognition in numbers he naturally found unnecessary. He had hoped that returning to the Burrow would grant him some time to spend with the Weasley’s and the Order, mourning those lost, attempting to grasp onto the grandiosity of what just happened and above all else staying close to Ginny as much as possible. Yet visitors continued to pour in, leaving little time for relaxation. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had just finished an interview that had left Ron extremely disgruntled.
“Can’t we just cast some charms to keep these Daily Prophet blokes from coming here?” exclaimed Ron as they walked up the stairs.
“For heavens sake Ron, you can’t have expected them to take the death of Voldemort lightly” Replied Hermione.
“Well they don’t need to be asking us about our friends who died, as if it isn’t hard enough already.”
“I don’t mind.” said Harry. “When I used the stone to bring back Lupin he knew that he had died fighting for a better cause, these stories and what we tell them will honor him, Tonks, Fred and everyone else. People will understand the sacrifice they made for a better world.”
A silence amongst the three friends followed, but was interrupted by Ginny who had just entered Ron’s room. She sat down and put her head on Harry’s shoulder and he put his arm around her.
“Mum and George just got done talking with the Daily Prophet folk, they got her all upset again talking about Fred. George was pretty choked up too. They come around too often, we haven’t really had enough time to just let everything sink in.” she said.
“I suppose it will all hit us tomorrow when we go to the funerals” said Hermione
Harry’s head dropped as a sudden sadness spread over him; he had been so distracted by visitors that he had forgotten that they would be going to Hogwarts the next day for the funerals for those who had died in the fight. Looking up he knew that thoughts of their fallen friends were going through the minds of Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. He motioned for Ginny to follow him out of the room.
“I think we ought to get some rest” said Harry
There was a murmur of agreement and Harry led Ginny out of the room by her hand. As he held her close to him in the hall Harry could not help but feel a great deal of joy, all of the barriers that had kept him from being with Ginny had now ceased to exist and he was now free to give her his unconditional love. As they caught each others gaze, tears were flowing down Ginny’s cheek, though she had never been one to weep, Harry understood the emotions that accompanied the loss of a loved one. Without a word the two stared at each other with an understanding that happened many times before, both knew that a time would come when they could spend their lives together in happiness. With a quick kiss goodnight Harry turned to leave, but Ginny stopped him with her hand and he was led back to her room where they spent the night together, not romantically but rather in the comfort of each others arms.
The next morning went by quickly as Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys prepared to leave for the Funeral, few words were spoken as everybody seemed to be in a silent mourning. They arrived at platform nine and three-quarters where the families of the students of Hogwarts converged once again, needless to say the atmosphere of the station differed greatly from the usual air of excited anticipation for a new school year. As the group waited to board the Hogwarts Express they came upon Lucius, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy. For the first time both families forgot about their differences and previous altercations, all of which seemed trivial on this day. Lucius and Arthur shook hands as did Harry and Draco, though a courteous gesture it remained doubtful that a real friendship would ever sprout amongst them. Once on the train Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny split from the rest of the Weasleys where they found a compartment to share with Luna and Neville. Luna looked as she always did her long hair flowing and her misty eyes shined mysteriously. Neville’s face was still scarred and he had a warrior like appearance to him, perhaps the opposite of what Harry had seen when he had first met Neville.
“Hey Harry!” exclaimed Luna as he entered the compartment, he gave her a weak smile and hug and moved on to shake hands with Neville as Luna greeted Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
“Everything going ok Harry?” asked Neville.
Though he was still stricken with grief Harry still felt that he had been relieved of a great deal of stress. All he could do was nod his head.
“I reckon these past few weeks have been busy for you, I’m already fed up with telling people about killing that snake, I can’t imagine how it must have been for you.”
“It hasn’t been a whole lot of fun Neville” replied Harry. He had been approached by many as he boarded the Hogwarts express, and was all too please to be alone on the train with his friends.
“Gran reckons they people might ask you to say something at the funeral Harry, you know, about Voldemort and everyone who fought.”
“You don’t think they would make him do that do you?” interjected Hermione.
“Well he doesn’t have to” said Ron “but they’ll all be expecting him to, don’t worry mate, we’ll get them to back off, they’ll just have to do without their hero for once.
Harry was silent; the thought had never occurred to him that people would expect him to say something in recognition of those lost. Though he wasn’t anywhere near prepared to give any sort of tribute, he realized that like the other situations he had been in, this was something he would have to do, to put everybody at rest.
“Its ok Ron, I’ll do it.”
“Are you sure?” Ron said looking quizzical.
“Of course he’s sure” Ginny answered. “I’m sure he doesn’t really want to, but can we expect anything less from Harry?” She beamed at Harry, who found her as beautiful as ever.
The rest of the train ride was filled with long silences and the occasional bits of small talk. Luna had begun to read one of her magazines, Neville was quietly dozing in a corner, Ron and Hermione were tangled in an embrace in which a few inaudible whispers could be heard, Harry sat looking out the window at the passing scenery with Ginny sleeping with her head in his lap. The days had become as beautiful as ever, the mist had dissipated, the skies were clear and the sun shined brightly. As they drew closer and closer to Hogwarts, Harry was engulfed in a wave of thoughts and emotions, his mind drifted from memories of the events of the last six years to thoughts of what the future would bring. He broke out of his reverie as he felt the train begin to slow to a stop; he gently woke Ginny as the others in the compartment were getting ready to get off the train. |
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