"Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today to commemorate those that we have lost."
It was no longer happiness and glamour. The joyous celebrations have been halted as those of Hogwarts mourn the fifty fighters that lost their lives during the battle. Not a glass of Butterbeer or Firewhiskey was in sight. Rather, there were chairs neatly placed in rows facing a podium. What was supposed to be a funeral had turned into a depressing ceremony as Hogwarts students and relatives, Order members and Ministry officials were present. The castle ruins have been repaired momentarily as the blasted walls and towers were no longer completely visible. The ceremony was held in a large field just behind the castle, with the tombs sorted to form a cemetery of those that had fallen.
Harry POV
I sat right at the front of the row of seats, with Ron on one side and Ginny on the other, my hand intertwined with hers. The entire Weasley family occupied the front row while Order members and Hogwarts teachers sat behind us. Professor Dumbledore stood on the podium as he gave the speech.
"On May the 2nd, Hogwarts students and teachers united to fight against Dark forces that had threatened our world for years. The morning after marks our victory, but the means in doing so included the lost of our fellow loved ones. We will now take the next few minutes to remember the following names, those that had fallen at the hands of Voldemort and his followers but died fighting for a better world."
This was the moment that I had been dreading. The list of names that had died fighting.
"Michael Corner, a fellow Ravenclaw, who led the charge in Ravenclaw tower."
I felt a sudden twinge in my chest. I knew Michael. I had taught him in Dumbledore's Army.
"Dylan Shawcross. A first year Slytherin that was caught in the battle crossfire."
As Dumbledore continued with his speech, I began to lose focus. There were people that didn't even want to fight, yet they had died in the war. People that wanted nothing but to see a light at the end of the tunnel, and it was cut out from them in an instant. I didn't dare look back, because I knew there were a lot of people out there that lost a friend of family member and did so fighting for me. I was the one that asked for time to hunt the Horcruxes. I was the one that convinced McGonagall to set up defences to stop Voldemort's army. These people are dead because of me.
"Draco Malfoy. A Slytherin prefect that was also caught in the heat of the battle. A strong and ambitious individual."
Even through our differences and rivalries, I couldn't help but feel terrible for what happened to Malfoy. He may have been mean in the past but he never wanted to live in a life of cruelty. I could see it in his eyes, back in Malfoy Manor, that he was scared. I paid little to no attention to the rest of the names, because the pain in my chest worsened the more I listened to the names of people that gave their lives protecting me.
"Charlie Weasley, a member of the Order of the Phoenix, who soared through the night sky for us, resembling his talented Quidditch skills. As a devoted member of the Order, the Ministry award him the Order of Merlin, third class."
At that, both Ron and Ginny tensed. Ginny tightened her grip on my hand and Ron clenched his fist on his lap.
"Professor Horace Slughorn, a dear friend and talented Potions master, who was loyal to Hogwarts right from the very start. For his longevity and leadership, the Ministry have awarded him the Order of Merlin, second class."
Tears started to swell up in my eyes. It couldn't be. Professor Slughorn, not here with us.
"Professor Severus Snape, A lost follower of Voldemort who changed for the better, a brave teacher, misunderstood but remained faithful to Hogwarts. A great teacher, and a brave man. I award him the Order of Merlin, first class."
This time, I dared to look behind me. I looked over at my mother, who sat between my father and Hagrid. She had her eyes closed, but the tears rolling down her cheeks stabbed me like a dagger. My dad, along with Sirius, both were shaking slightly. I could tell that they, too, felt very sorry for what they did.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the names I read out are not fighters. They are friends, family and innocent people who strived for a better world. In the years that come, do not ever forget what they have done for us. They remain in our hearts forever."
*1 hour later*
"Thank you," I said. "For everything."
I had repeated that statement a hundred times to everyone that had fought. And to those that lost a loved one, I could not say anything except "sorry", for it was the only thing that I could say without completely breaking down in front of them. Once I had gotten to everyone, I spent a few minutes walking between the graves and creating a flower for each tombstone. Once I was done, I had gone over to the side on my own, unable to really say anything to anyone.
While watching everyone drift around in remorse, the first ones to approach me were the Weasleys. Fred's arm was in a sling and George was on crutches. Fleur had kept her hair tied back, revealing the terrible scars Greyback had left on her.
"Thank you Harry," Mrs Weasley said to me. "You saved the magical world, and our family."
I smiled, "Thank you for making me a part of yours."
The next to approach me were the fellow Gryffindors, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Lavender and Parvati. Neville had been awarded an Order of Merlin, second class, and his grandmother had insisted on holding onto it for the time being. I had never been more proud of them for what they had gone through, even during the hardship of the Carrows. I was then approached by Hagrid, followed by the Diggory's, who spent an extended amount of time thanking me for bringing their son back. McGonagall then came up to me, which caught me off guard.
"I taught you for 7 years Potter," McGonagall said in her usual stern voice, before giving a rare, warm smile. "I have never been more proud."
She, along with Remus and Kingsley, were given Order of Merlins, first class due to their leadership and contribution during the war, though no one approached them about it unlike Neville, Ron and Hermione, who were all bombarded with questions. Once McGonagall had left my side, I decided to go talk to the people who were probably dying to talk to me.
"Hey dad," I said to him, who was standing with Remus and Sirius.
"Hey Harry," he replied. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay," I shrugged, not really able to say anything else.
"You've done brilliant," Sirius patted my back. "I wish I could have told you then, but now you heard it."
I looked at Remus, "This was all your plan wasn't it?"
He merely jerked his head slowly in the direction of Dumbledore, who nodded back at me. I couldn't express how grateful I was to him and Remus for bringing them back. There wasn't a lot I could say right there and then, I had already gone through a lot. But I think they all understood. Not much needed to be said anyway.
"Harry..."
I turned to see my mother standing there, her tears gone but she was still downhearted. I walked over and pulled her into a tight hug, again not able to really say anything.
"You don't know how proud we are of you," she said; I could feel her tears coming back again.
"He's right son," James said from behind as I pulled away from mum. "You have no idea."
"You will have to go right?" I asked, knowing the answer already.
Remus smiled weakly, "They were never meant to stay."
But I wanted them to. All of them. Sirius, Barty, Cedric, Percy. Dumbledore. Mum and dad. They all gave their lives for me, just like the fifty people behind me did. I wanted them to stay with me. Remus could see it in my eyes what I was thinking, and I knew he was thinking the same thing. I didn't want to let go of my parents just like he didn't want to let go of his best friends.
"You'll lead a quiet, peaceful life now," Sirius assured me. "No more Voldemort. No more hearing voices or recurring dreams. You're safe now."
"And we will rest better knowing that you are," mum added.
I was the only one present in the Headmaster's office when they were due to head back. Barty was the first to go, though for some reason he looked very uncertain in doing so. A part of his posture told me he wanted to say something to Dumbledore but thought better of it. Next up was Percy, who didn't really say anything but just gave a curt nod in my direction as soon as he entered the fireplace. Mad-Eye was next, having given me a pep talk prior about life as a wizarding adult. He was very confident that I would be Head of the Auror office, which I assured him was my ultimate goal.
"There are still some Death Eaters on the loose, on the run," he said grimly. "Make sure you round them up and lock them away in Azkaban."
"Will do," I said, trying not to laugh when I made eye contact with Sirius. "Thanks Mad-Eye."
He disappeared into the fireplace, followed by Regulus. Though I didn't know him, it was quite emotional to see him go as well after knowing what he had done to oppose Voldemort. He was one of the only ones not present at the ceremony, mostly because his appearance wouldn't have been taken too kindly by Ministry officials. He had spent that time with Kreacher, who was very reluctant on letting him go.
"Harry," Sirius said to him as he was next to go. "You are a good person, always remember that if you ever doubt yourself. Being your godfather is, by far, the best thing that ever happened to me."
And with that, he disappeared into the fireplace when I couldn't even think of something to say back. My mum and dad were next; Mum was holding Teddy Lupin in her arms. She handed him to me and caressed my cheek.
"I love you, Harry," she said softly. "I always will."
"Take care son," dad said.
Ron and Hermione entered the room as soon as they stepped into the fireplace. That left Dumbledore as the only one to go. He was standing next to his desk, caressing a baby Fawkes.
"How did you do it?" I asked. "Make Fawkes look like you, I mean."
"That sort of magic I have never heard or read about," Hermione said.
"Bloody brilliant," Ron added.
Dumbledore chuckled, "Thank you Ron. But I think some things, even the greatest mysteries, are left unanswered. Although I have no doubt you three might learn it someday. You have a bigger heart than me Harry, and soon to be a better wizard than me. Time will tell."
He turned to go into the fireplace, leaving his beloved pet on its stand. Before he left, he turned back to face me.
"However, I do have one last question for you Harry. One that I feel you may or may not answer."
"Go on."
He looked directly into my eyes, "If there is one thing you learnt from me, what was it?"
Though I didn't reply immediately, I already had an answer. It was all I could think of ever since the battle started. And it was something that he had taught me on my very first day of Hogwarts, something that stuck with me in all my adventures.
"Help will always be given to Hogwarts to those that ask for it."
Smiling one last time, his eyes twinkling, he stepped into the fireplace and disappeared. And with that, I turned back around to my best friends, with Ron asking me the all important question.
"What now?"