This is just a brief tribute to the many beloved characters who died at the end of the seventh book.
It takes place the following year, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione would be eighteen and likely finishing their last year of school. Neville and the others are there to learn proper magic instead of the curses they were taught by Snape and the Carrows.
Students trudged across the Hogwarts grounds, leaving footprints in the light dusting of snow that already coated the frozen grass. More flakes were falling, thick and fast, quickly filling in the students' tracks.
The inside of the castle was comfortably warm, with fires blazing in every grate. The Great Hall looked magnificent, fully decorated for the Halloween feast that evening. Several of Hagrid's giant pumpkins glowed brightly with magical flame.
As the feast grew nearer, students began to file into the Great Hall. Once everyone had arrived, the new headmaster ascended his podium. "Welcome, all of you, to the Hogwarts Halloween feast," he boomed. "Before we begin, I'd like to say a few words."
"Bet his few words are a lot longer than Dumbledore's," Ron muttered darkly.
Harry glanced over, then returned his focus to the man at the front of the Great Hall. "Nobody can be quite like Dumbledore."
The headmaster continued, ignoring the murmurs that filled the Hall. "This year is the first of a new era, a time free from the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort."
"About time people stopped calling him You-Know-Who," Hermione said in a low voice.
"Those of you who were here last year remember the horrors brought by Severus Snape and other Death Eaters-"
"Snape died a hero," Harry said loudly, rising from the table.
"Harry, no!" Hermione whispered, trying to pull him back down. He ignored her.
"Snape was always on Dumbledore's side. He never worked for Voldemort. People should respect him, not hate him for doing as Dumbledore wanted him to."
This caught the headmaster off guard for a moment, but he quickly continued as if Harry hadn't spoken. "Many valiant students fought and gave their lives in the Battle of Hogwarts so that we could be here today."
Heads turned, many seeking Neville as the headmaster went on. "I propose a toast to all those who gave their lives for us, and for the whole wizarding world. I shall begin." He waved his hands, and the goblets filled with pumpkin juice. "Albus Dumbledore."
"Albus Dumbledore," the students echoed, raising their goblets.
A boy of about fifteen stood, his once youthful, excited face now much more serious. "Colin Creevey."
"Poor Dennis," Hermione said softly, as the hall repeated the name.
Harry rose as Dennis sat back down. "Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks."
The hall echoed him, this time accompanied by Hagrid's trumpetlike nose-blowing.
Ron stood. "Fred Weasley."
Ginny's voice was especially loud as Fred was toasted.
Neville was next. "All of the fallen fifty who brought Voldemort down."
Instead of echoes, this time, there were cheers. The Hall shook with tremendous applause. It went on and on before slowly fading.
"Now," the headmaster announced, "the feast!"
Platters filled with roasts and puddings. Ron dug in, ignoring the disgusted looks of those around him. "Well, eat," he said waving a turkey leg in Hermione's face, as she had been staring out him in open-mouthed disgust.
"Ron!"
"What?" Ron demanded. "I'm hungry!"