To Fight Like a Warrior
They were all marching, to their own tunes but they were. Harry had always wondered why he felt so at home in something as old as Hogwarts. But now he understood that it was kinship. Just like him, Hogwarts had prepared itself for this one single day in history. Seamus was talking about how grand it would be to go down in history as one among the architects who rebuilt Hogwarts once this is all over. Someday, Harry knew that Seamus will become a great architect, but he also knew that he was not going to rebuild Hogwarts.
Ron was holding Hermione's hand even as they marched. Harry wondered if that was even, the Ron he knew. Gone were the insecurities and restlessness, he was not checking what others were doing but just calmly determined. Surprisingly, Hermione looked nervous, but Harry understood that underneath the twitching, she was as much steel as Ron. Ron pulled her hand for a kiss, but Hermione raised her eyebrows and murmured a 'Ron' half reproachfully. They will live like that all their lives, no matter how old they get.
Remus and Tonks were amiably chatting like old married couple even though they were marching down the corridors of Hogwarts just like all the other able bodied man and woman on the side of light. Harry realized they would look the same if they are having tea in an old age home.
Fred and George shot past Harry distracting him for a moment from his musings. They were laughing and for a moment everyone's grim face lit up in a momentary flash of a smile. The twins will always be like that; they will make people smile even if it's just for a moment, they will always remind others that life can be fun.
Molly was pulling at Ginny's hair to tie it in a pony even as they marched. Ginny's whining 'mom' brought a smile to Harry's lips. No matter what she sees or how old she gets, some part of Ginny will always remain innocent, just like how Molly will always remain the mother.
"Potter, I would advice you to stop dreaming and get ready. We will be stepping out of that door into battle very soon"
Harry smiled and nodded sheepishly at his house teacher. She will always be a teacher wherever she goes. She will always love those children she teaches and always watch over them.
The marching stopped and a deafening silence descended just for a second, then the great doors slowly began to budge open. Harry looked at his hands then at himself. What will he always be?
He had always done the best he could. In the dark cupboard at the Dursley's he had made a wow to himself on his seventh birthday. That he will find what friendship is, he will find out how it will be loved by parents, he will find out how it will be to win, and he will find out how love would feel.
He had found friendship in Ron and Hermione, he had found a father in Sirius and even a family in the Weaslys. He had known what it is to win when he lifted the Quidditch cup. But love, till date, he had not tasted. It ached and burnt for a long time in him. Every time he saw Ron, every time he thought of him. The doors opened and he turned back and looked at that red head one last time.
Harry knew he was not meant for love, just like Snape and Dumbledore. He is a warrior meant to die alone in battle, meant to be an ancient grave that people talked about in whispers in the years to come. He could have told Ron something, but he knew his calling was to end up as a few tears and a sad smile on Ron's lips than anything more. Just like Hogwarts, Harry knew he won't survive this day.
He marched on like a true warrior who knows the truth in his heart and still determined to die a worthy death.