Chapter 1
In from the hazy sunshine of the morning, Harry, Ron and Hermione walked back into the gloom of the castle with heavy hearts. Rubble and debris littered the courtyard and both caretakers and the wounded sat dazed as if unsure that the nightmare of the battle was truly over. Dusty light filtered through broken windows onto the tables and cots and the occasional kitchen elf dragging himself up the stairs with a flagon of drink or plate of sandwiches to try to refresh the survivors. The bodies of Fred Weasley, Remus and Tonks and the other casualties, too many, had been gently moved to the school chapel to await burial plans or the notification of families far away. Ron spotted his parents sitting at a table off to the left and the trio moved to join them. Looking up, Ron heard a flutter of wings above announcing an owl, then two, then a stream of birds winging into the room, each with a message, a question.
Ron's owl Errol lighted at the Weasley's table and held out a leg to have his message removed. "It's from Muriel." sighed Arthur Weasley, shaking his head. "I can't begin to know how we'll tell her." He looked about the room and said "So many…" Harry's heart wrenched in his chest and he went to Mr. Weasley. "I haven't said…I didn't know what to say…about Fred. If I'd known what it would all cost…" "You'd have done exactly what you did Harry. This was never going to be easy, and now generations are free because of what you – you three – have done." Looking up at Ron and Hermione he said "I've never been prouder in my life." He put his arms around them all, each of their eyes wet with tears. "If Dumbledore were here, he'd be fit to burst." As others in the room read messages from outside the castle, they began to stir and talk. Molly Weasley sitting at the table with Ginny asked Hermione "When was the last time you three slept? You must be exhausted." Hermione shook her head and said "It's all too much. I doubt I could sleep." "Well you're going to." replied Molly. "Kreacher said Griffindor tower isn't too bad. Why don't you head up there and put your heads down before people start arriving. With all these owls, it won't be long.".
Kingsley Shaklebolt walked back into the hall accompanied by Mrs. Longbottom, Neville's grandmother, chatting like a pair of old campaigners. Kingsley announced to the room: "Help's coming. The news is out all around the country, and witches and wizards are on their way." He looked at the Weasleys and said "Molly, I need your help. Minerva is going to talk to all the parents as they arrive, but we need to organize everyone who needs medical care. Thank God Aberforth got most of the students out, but Madame Pomfret can't handle all this. Harry, you look like you could use some patching up, too." "Oh!" said Ginny, leaping up. "Here – I've got some dittany. Sit down and we'll get you sorted". Harry started to say "I'm fine", then thought again. All he wanted was to sit quietly near Ginny and have her take care of him. He moved silently toward the bench to succumb to her ministrations. "No," said Mrs. Weasley "upstairs you go, while you can.". "Defeat the greatest danger of our times, and she's still ordering us around like first-years." chuckled Ron. "I'm not going to wait to be told twice." he said, heading for the door with Hermione close behind.
Kreacher suddenly appeared at Harry's elbow. "Master, I'm so pleased to see you alive. Is there anything you require?" Harry paused then replied, "Kreacher, you stay here with Mrs. Weasley and do anything she asks…and no name-calling, you understand?" "I hear the word "blood traitor" even once and you're …well, just Don't." "Yes, Master." Kreacher replied meekly, his ugly face restraining a grimace. "Perhaps Kreacher was…mistaken about the Weasleys." Turning to Molly he said "Kreacher will be proud to serve the valorous Mrs. Weasly who defeated my former mistress, Belatrix Lestrange. What is it you require, Madame?" As Molly began to list items she needed and look around to plan her next move, Harry lurched to his feet to follow Ron and Hermione. "Hey, you're going nowhere without me", said Ginny. "Not now, not ever again." She got up, reached for his hand and they left the room together.