Disclaimer: I don't own any of the HP characters (no matter how much I would love to TT )

AN: I LOVED the last book!!! I'm kind of sad though now that it's over. BTW, any errors that may appear are simply because I'm kind of sleep deprived at the moment (hehee… hard to put the book down). So, on with the story!

Aftermath of the Final Battle

There are no words to really describe what happened the day of Voldemort's death; it was like waking up after a really long night, opening your eyes to realize that the pain and suffering would finally end.

Harry Potter walked out the headmasters office with Ron and Hermione in tow. His feet felt heavy and yet he knew there were things to be done, there would be plenty of time to sleep once he'd finished all this.

In the Great Hall, Harry saw the faces of all who had died during the battle. His eyes fell on the bodies of Tonks, Lupin and Fred. A surge of sadness filled him as he realized the repeating history: Teddy Lupin wouldn't meet his parents because they'd sacrificed themselves to bring about a better future. Part of him felt guilty, but at the same time he knew that it couldn't have been helped.

He lifted his eyes to the Weasleys, who at the moment were helping with the injured. Ginny was alright. She was safe. He really had to tell Ron that he loved his sister, as well as get his approval to date her. Luckily for Harry, Ron was too happy to have Hermione with him that he would definitely say yes. A warm blush spread to his cheeks as he thought about finally being with her.

Suddenly, Harry realized that one body was missing in the Great Hall. Snape's!

"Ron, Hermione! Snape's body… It's still at the shack!" he said as he ran up to them.

"You're right! I completely forgot," replied Hermione. She had never liked Snape, but her feelings had changed to acceptance after she found out what he'd done for Harry.

Severus Snape had always been in love with Lily, but his love had not been corresponded. Because he couldn't protect Lily, he would at least protect her child, the child that she had risked her life for.

As Dumbledore would say "Love is truly a powerful thing, far more powerful than any wand or magic."

The whomping willow allowed them to pass through the secrete tunnel peacefully, almost as if it knew that now was not the time to beat those who came close. As they reached the shack, memories flooded Harry's mind. Here is where he and Ron crashed the flying car during their second year, where he had met Sirius, where he'd found out who really had betrayed his parents, and now it was the place where lay the man who had been an invisible protector to him.

The trio pulled into the shack and looked around. It was as shabbier and in worse condition since they had last seen it. Severus Snape lay in a pool of blood where he'd fallen after Nagini's attack. His eyes were closed and his greasy hair was covering part of his face.

Hermione stepped up to Snape's body and muttered a few cleaning spells. The blood vanished from his lifeless form, giving him the look of a broken bird. She closed his eyes and tried to move his limbs to give him a more peaceful aspect.

Ron walked around the shack, looking out of the window towards the grounds. The castle had suffered heavy damage, but he knew that with time the school would be back on its feet. He was going to have to bury his older brother. "I guess mum won't have any more trouble telling them apart," he said aloud without realizing it.

Harry and Hermione looked at him with a kind of shock in their eyes. They knew many had died, but the pain had yet to kick in (it's the same feeling you get when you've been walking around in snow for a long time and you've forgotten where you were heading.)

After several moments, they carried Snape's body out onto the ground outside the shack. They levitated it all the way back to Hogwarts. Death eaters that had survived were tied up with magical ropes to prevent them from leaving or doing anything.

Harry's eyes scanned the great hall. He was surprised to find the Malfoys sitting on one of the tables, Draco wasn't with his parents. In fact, the Malfoy heir was helping, under the scrutinizing gaze of an Order member, to bandage some of the injured and move the bodies. He looked pale and worn out. It suddenly hit Harry, "Malfoy was acting this way because of his family – it's what was expected of him, what he was taught to do. Maybe he's showing his true self."

With a heavy sigh, he walked on. Yes, there would definitely be a lot of work to do.

Please no flames! Idea was inspired by a friend of mine. R&R!!