Remember Them

by Luna Liano

It was wrong, they had realised, that so many had fallen, without recognition. 5th year one shot. For Remembrance Day

The word had been passed, and every muggleborn and halfblood had sent their agreement. Too long had they gone on living, never remembering those who had given their lives to let them do so. And last year, one of their own had been taken, and nothing was done! It was a tradition they had all followed, from their very first year of primary school, and it seemed only right to do it in the November, and not Halloween. So, at ten to eleven on a Saturday morning, every non-pureblood student walked into the great hall en-masse.

Professor Snape grumbled whilst picking at the last of his breakfast. He hated hall duty on weekends; the students just would not get up at a decent time, always waiting till the last moment to shovel some food down. He looked up at the sudden silence, to see over half the population of the school looking back at him, some just standing, some whispering amongst themselves. Flicking his wand he sent a message to the other teachers. This was most unusual.

Five minutes later; and nothing had changed. The teachers were confused at the students, who refused to move, or sit, claiming it would be disrespectful, and that they were only waiting for 11 anyway.

The students parted, and Harry walked to the front of them, standing upon the raised floor before the staff table. Silence fell. He took a breath, and began to speak.

"And they shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun an in the morning, we will remember them."

"We will remember them." The students replied solemnly. The clock struck 11, and they bowed their heads. For two minutes, they stood thusly, in silence, and no other could bring themselves to break it. As they stood there, each noticed what was odd about the gathering. Instead of a house crest, every one of the silent students had a small red poppy pinned to their robes. The sight of it stirred something in Severus Snapes memory, of a time before Hogwarts, and suddenly, he understood. It was appropriate, he thought. Dumbledore had noticed the comprehension in his eyes, and he knew he would be explaining this in the staff room later. But as the students began to silently disperse, he stood in the corner of the room quietly.

Yes, he thought, we will remember them.