Harry stood up in front of the Great Hall, in front of everyone. He wasn't sure why he was doing this, only that it had to be done; these words had to be said. "Excuse me, everyone," He said, his voice echoing throughout the Hall, and many people looked up, "I'd like to-to say a few words." Harry gulped, then continued. "Many of you here today have lost friends, family or-or just someone you've seen or helped with a homework assignment, or something." Harry felt tears prickling his eyes, but pressed on.

"Look, I'm not going to tell you not to grieve, because that would be a completely pointless thing to do. Of course your going to grieve, of course you are going to mourn the loss of those you've seen die. All I ask of you is to not let your grief destroy you, because that's not what they'd have wanted. They would have wanted you to just-just remember them." Harry could not contain himself any longer, and felt a tear roll down his cheek, "All those-those stupid things you did together, like shove each other into the lake, or enchant a snowball to slam int them." Harry gave a small chuckle, remembering those carefree days back in first and second year with Ron and Hermione. "Look around you. Look at all those who are alive, and well, despite what we've gone through. If those honourable people had not contributed in the battle, had those people not sacrificed themselves for their friends, we would never have won this war. People call me the Chosen One, they call me the Saviour, but in reality it was you who saved us, it was all those tiny acts of heroism that defined the outcome of this War."

"But we mustn't forget those who died before this Battle, before this war had really begun. Cedric, Sirius, Mum, Dad, Madam Bones.. and countless muggles condemned for something they could not help. Remember these deaths, and remember that this was all started by prejudice, and the anger and loneliness of one man. Remember... That is the most important word I have said. So do it. That-that's all I have to say." He sat down, and there was dead silence in the room. Then, as one, the crowd stood, raised their glasses, and rumbled,

"To the Fallen!"

Harry, his head bowed, stared at the table. Cedric, Tonks, Remus, Fred, Collin, Sirius...

"To the fallen," Harry whispered, and a tear slid from the end of his nose and landed in the water glass in front of him, making the water ripple unendingly.

A tribute to all those who died in the Battle of Hogwarts. Written at 2:00am.

:'(