The First of Many Trials

by kissedbynight

It all started with one trial. The war is over, lives are slowly moving forward, trials and tribulations occur and destinies are changed. Years later, how will the world change-is it better or worse, can friends still be after all that has been changed? Are the trials of life finally over with? Eventually will be a reunion story.

1. Prologue

Had this idea in my head for way too long-thought it would a good time to post something after x amount of years laying dormant.

As we all know, I am a FanFiction writer, not the millionaire who owns these characters and rights-I am simply borrowing them for all but a moment.

Enjoy.

Prologue.

The Causalities of war were immense; blood flooded the hallowed halls in which we have spent years sneaking about and rushing to and from class, cries from the survivors as they wept for their loved ones in places we once gathered to laugh and joke around. This place has been my home since I was eleven, now it seems to be the home of nightmares. The Spot you had your first kiss now burned black by dark magic and death. Books you have spend years pouring over-memorizing every text word for word, now nothing but ash and dust in the wind. Where there once was laughter in the wind-now is just the painful cries of lost souls. This place has lost its meaning. Where magic and life once dwelled there is nothing but the cold chill in the air that fallows death.

But for that one moment, when the lights glowed bright and there was nothing but dust-in that one moment everything felt right in the world. True, we may be fighting for our lives, but in that moment we were untouchable. We stood for life and what is good in the world and finally after years we were on top. In that moment the blood dried on our hands, the circles under our eyes-they were all worth something. The cheers of the Order rang loud, women were holding children close and crying with a toothy grin, men were rounding up the few remaining Death Eaters.

Everything was good till that moment passed and every one took a look around at what once was a safe place.

I couldn't breath-everywhere I turned I saw blood; was it my friends or did I send the curse that caused this: seeing the sheets covering the bodies I couldn't help but think if I knew them, were we friends, our was I the one that killed them? I know I shouldn't feel this way-it is war, there is going to be loss on both sides. In war no side ever wins or losses-just who survived the longest. I knew the war was going to take precious things from me, I knew it was going to cause every fiber in my being to cringe at the thought of taking a life. But that didn't stop me, and that is what makes me more revolted then anything; the thought that I never hesitated or thought twice about my opponent if they had a family or loved one waiting for them. I shoot to kill, and now all around me bodies are lining up further and further down the halls.

I just want to breath in air without the burning smell of flesh.

Running from the castle towards the bridge I fling myself onto a large boulder fallen from my treasured home and wrap my arms around it in hopes the familiar stone would give the same sort of comfort it did when I was a little girl lost in the large ever changing halls. I sat on my knees holding the boulder while my head was bowed towards it and I wept: I wept for the loss of my friends, for the lives I took, the sacrifices I made and I wept for the loss of my home. When I was a little girl, no place ever felt like home, I was never accepted; Hogwarts was the first place I truly felt I belonged. True I never did fit in much with the students when I first started, but I didn't feel alone; as if the school its self was welcoming me into its halls and teaching me things others would over look. This is my home-and now it is nothing but rubble. The wind blows at my back, as if it was the castles spirit giving my comfort I longed for. Listening I can hear the heavy foot falls slowly walking up behind my; my first instinct is to grab my wand and fire-but after months in the forest and years in a dormitory I have come to recognize those particular foot falls.

Dabbing my eyes with the back of my hand and standing to face them I try and smile-but it never does reach my eyes like it used to, but then again neither does their smiles. I try to keep my face still, but I couldn't; I could still see Harry lying as still as death in Hagrids arms. My feet moved before my mind had time to think what I was doing, all I knew was I was crying into my best friends shoulder with a smile etched onto my face.

"We did it Harry, we actually did it."

I felt his arms tighten around me for just a second before he dropped his arms and stepped back, "I know Mione-its finally over, he is gone and there is no way he can ever come back."

I felt hot fresh tears roll down my cheeks; its over, no more fear and running from everything and hiding from everyone. We can just be us, not soldiers, not spies, not weapons. We can just be us.

I feel an arm slid around my waist and dry lips press against my forehead-looking up I see the freckly faced blue eyes man that once teased me then grow into my best friend. I couldn't help but grin-the war is over we survived to tell our tale tomorrow but best of all we came out of this together. Leaning into his side for the warmth and comfort we all just watch the sun set over the horizon.

"Tonight we will sleep warm in a bed with a hot home cooked meal-but come tomorrow, I don't think our lives are ever going to be the same again." We all let Harry's words fade in silence as the golden glow reflected off the water.