The Warriors Way

Hey this is the first chapter written by Bramble and posted by me, i hope to continue this soon =)

Enjoy….

Chapter One

In an ancient castle up in the Scottish highlands, hundreds of people were celebrating the defeat of the dark lord Voldermort. Teachers, aurors and schoolchildren laughed and joked with each other in what was left of the Hogwarts grounds.

Just over an hour had passed since he had defeated the dark lord. He knew that he should be happy that he had finally destroyed the loathsome, foul creature that had taken away everything that he had ever wanted, a family. Up until fifth year he had thought that he had a family in the Weasleys and Hermione. However, like most things in his life the things he loved never lasted. He snorted at the thought.

He had been walking down the corridor at the end of fifth year, upset about Sirius when he had caught sight of Ron and Hermione in front of him. Harry had smiled as he sped up to them. He stopped however as their words drifted back to him.

"I don't feel safe around Potter anymore Ron!" Hermione had moaned as she hung onto Ron's hand

"I know love, neither do I!" Ron spat "he is a murderer, he killed Sirius!"

Hermione was nodding fervently at Ron at this point "just think, that could have been one of us. I don't know about you Ronald but I am done with him! I value my life and yours to highly to just be slung away like human shields when he runs head first into danger when he feels like it!" Hermione ranted, Ron was loudly agreeing with her.

Harry stopped and leant against the cold stone wall in shock. He had lost one person that night. Now he had lost two more.

Harry had thrown himself into his studies, soon exceeding even Hermione with his grades. He became reclusive, avoiding contact with anyone except Dobby and surprisingly Professor Snape, who never treated him like he was some hero. Harry had clung to that; he needed to know someone thought of him as a normal person.

Malfoy's spiteful comments that would usually end up with a fight in retaliation, just rolled off of his back as he studiously ignored the snotty little bleached brat, soon even Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins ignored him when they realised he wasn't going to attack them. They just nodded in acknowledgment to each other when they passed in corridors or the Great Hall.

Professor Dumbledore of course soon warmed back up to him after fifth year. But Harry was having none of it. He was done with the man's messing in his life.

Professor Snape had kept him after class one day to question why he was cold with the headmaster.

"With all due respect Professor Snape" Harry had replied politely "I do not agree with that man's meddling in my life. He things it his right to control people like chess pieces, sacrificing us like pawns when he sees fit to do so" he finished as he stared into his professors dark eyes.

"I see…" Snape hissed silkily, dragging out the 's' sound like a snake.

Harry nodded in respect to the teacher as he turned to the door to leave.

"Potter" Snape murmured as he stared at his once most hated student "I…agree" he finished slowly.

Harry shook his head as he smirked at the memory. Snape had been confusing to deal with for the last two and a bit years. The man had helped him more than anyone else though, and that had meant a lot to Harry.

Harry stood up from the steps and strode around the battlefield. He closed the open vacant eyes of the fallen as he passed them. The few who were doing the same nodded at him gratefully as they rolled their eyes and glared at the celebrating crowds.

Harry stared in disgust at the happy people who deemed it perfectly acceptable to celebrate on a battlefield where the fighters that had fallen to the dark were still strewn about across Hogwarts grounds in various states of horrific death.

Once he had defeated the dark lord everyone had hurtled outside to celebrate. Harry had received a few pats on the back and a tiny amount of 'well done' praises.

A presence next to him had Harry whipping his wand out as he snapped his head to the side, sighing in relief as he stared up at the towering presence of Firenze, the blonde centaur. He murmured in greeting as they walked through the battlefield.

"There is a time and a place for celebration" Firenze started slowly as he peered at the stars "and celebrating over the dead is looked down upon by few" he finished.

Harry snorted "and overlooked by many it seems"

Firenze hummed in agreement as he murmured a quiet 'farewell' and trotted off into the night.

Harry sighed; he did not know what he was going to do now.