Chapter One: Forgiveness and Understanding
Harry's wish of a simple sandwich and nap had not yet come true. Three short hours after the trio had left the Headmaster's office, Harry found himself on a broomstick high above the Forbidden Forest. This strange turn of events in Harry's schedule manifested itself when they had been walking down the corridor away from the office. George and Percy had come running up the hallway towards them, gasping.
"Death Eaters," Percy gasped. "Escaping in the forest!" He stopped to clutch at a stitch in his side.
"A few Order members already went out on foot, we're going to circle over head," panted George. "Let's go!"
"Harry, Ron, No!" Hermione shouted. "You've done enough!"
But Harry and Ron appeared to have not heard her, and they sprinted after George and Percy, following them to the Entrance Hall. Shouts came after them, bouncing off the stone walls of the castle, but Harry did not care, and the three other men with him paid them no notice either. Fred was dead; Remus and Tonks were dead, their son now left in the same predicament as Harry had been, and there were too many other names of the list of the dead for him to stop running now. Rage and grief and his guilty conscience thundered through his veins, now was the time to finally seek some sort of revenge, and Harry couldn't stand letting this opportunity get away.
"ACCIO FIREBOLT!" Harry shouted after he leapt off of the blood soaked front steps, his newly repaired wand held aloft. The broomstick was instantly there as he landed, hard, on the front lawn.
He threw a leg over and kicked off, still following George and Percy, with Ron at his back.
And that was where they had been for the past three hours since. There had been no sign of movement within the trees, except for the Order members. Harry skimmed low to the tree line, his toes brushing the top most leaves, and that was when he saw them. There were three hooded figures of adults pushing through the trees on a path that lead to the mountains. Harry shot up red sparks from his wand, signaling to the others to keep quiet and follow him. As the other Weasley men drew nearer, Harry began easing his way down to the ground, slowly moving amongst the trees so as to not disturb the rustling leaves. Ron's foot slipped on the tree branch he was attempting to climb down and the resulting noise made the three figures turn, two of them with wands drawn.
Without hesitation, the tallest of the figures whipped his wand at Percy and cried "Stupify!" Percy, who had been gliding on his broom next to the tree about twenty feet in the air, slumped forward, unconscious. Ron and George began throwing spells at the hooded figures. Harry, being the closest, shot through the branches and positioned himself below Percy, then braced himself for the impact. WHAM! Percy's weight hit Harry and it was all he could do to hang on to Percy and the broom. The weight was nearly too much for the broom which began to slowly sag back to the ground. Harry turned once Percy was secure on the broom, still unconscious and drew his wand as well and turned to face the figures, but they were already lying unconscious on the ground.
"Well done," Harry gasped, still struggling under Percy's weight. The broomstick had finally reached the forest floor and Harry eased Percy to the ground on his back. He then pointed his wand and Percy's chest and muttered "Enervate" as he had seen Dumbledore do to Krum all those years ago. Percy's eye lids fluttered and opened.
"Wh-What happened?" he asked dazed.
"They stunned you, Perce" George explained, walking over to the figures. "Well, well…" He said as he unmasked them one by one. "Look who it is."
Now that the hoods were removed, Harry could see three white blond heads. The Malfoy Family.
"Let's get this lot tied up and take them back to the castle," George said, with an assertiveness and leader quality that Harry had never seen before. "You're bleeding pretty badly, Harry, we'd better hurry."
Harry was suddenly aware of the various cuts that flying through the trees had provided. They bound the Malfoy's and got back on their brooms. But just as George, Ron and Percy began to heft the Malfoy's onto their brooms, Harry had an idea.
"No, wait," Harry said, striding over where the three Weasley men had placed the limps forms back onto the ground. He went over to Narcissa Malfoy and pointed his wand at her chest. "Enervate" he whispered and instantly the bright blue eyes opened, she felt the ropes binding her and struggled against them.
"Don't struggle or we will stun you again," Harry said, bending down to help her into a sitting position.
"What do you want?" she asked angrily as he removed the gag from her mouth.
"I want to know where you were going," Harry said, never breaking eye contact.
"Where do you think?" She spat at him. "Out of the country, of course. Where else could we all finally be together?"
"I'm sorry, I can't let you do that," Harry said, and she glared at him.
"I don't have time for your games, boy," she snarled. "If you're going to bring us back to the castle, do it."
"Just one more question," he said, still staring into her frightened eyes. "Why did you lie for me?"
"For you?!" she repeated, disgusted. "It was for my son and no one else."
"Thank you," He said to her, and she stared at him as though not quite sure what to say or do next. "Now, are you going to struggle? Or can I let you stay conscious?"
She merely stared at him, confused and angry. He took that to mean she'd be still. So he helped her on to his broom, and Percy dragged Draco on to his broom and George and Ron held Lucius Malfoy between them.
Harry was not quite sure where his opinion stood in terms of the Malfoy family. On the one hand Mr. Malfoy had been part of Voldemort's most inner circle; on the other they had appeared to show remorse at the end of the battle. It had been thanks to Narssisa that Harry was alive; if she had not lied, Voldemort would have killed him on the spot. As for Draco, well, Harry wanted to give Draco the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he, like Regulus, had been pulled too far in to get out. After all his years of never understanding Dumbledore's trust in apparently untrustworthy people, Harry felt as though he finally understood. He'd made up his mind on his opinion of the Malfoy family before they reached the ground.
They landed softly on the front lawn, and were met by a group of people all rushing out of the front doors to where they were.
"RON! RON! Are you okay!?" Hermione shouted, pushing her way through the crowd to meet with Ron. Ron was in the process of lowering Lucius to the ground with George, and grunted his response.
"'Course I am," He said, straightening up to look at her.
"Good!" she said, and promptly slapped him across the face.
"MERLIN'S BEARD, HERMIONE!" He roared, clutching his now bright red cheek. "What the bloody hell was that for?"
"Why do you think?" Hermione said in a deadly whisper, tears beginning to fall down her face. "Maybe because we've just been through HELL and back, and you decide to leave me while you go off and play the hero!" She said, and turned away from him, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Harry saw the rest of the crowd, which had grown at an alarming rate, all staring at Ron and Hermione.
"Oy!" He shouted to the surrounding crowd, many of whom jumped at his yell. "There are three Death Eaters lying on the front lawn and I am bleeding profusely from several flesh wounds; would you all like to stop goggling and start helping!?"
The crowd dispersed, most surrounded the Malfoy family, Mrs. Weasley and Madame Pomfrey converged on Harry and the other Weasley boys, the rest of the crowd started back into the Castle. Harry sat still while Mrs. Weasley fixed his various cuts, from the corner of his eye he saw Ron approach Hermione and put a tentative arm around her.
"I'm sorry, 'Mione," He whispered, pulling her around so that he was hugging her while she cried into his chest.
"I-I d-didn't think you'd come back!" She wailed, clutching at him.
"Oh, c'mon 'Mione!" he said weakly, pulling her chin up to look at him. "You can't get rid of me that easily!"
She hiccupped a weak chuckle, and Ron bent down to kiss her.
"It's about time," Harry heard Mrs. Weasley mutter as she finished healing the last of Harry's injuries; Harry looked up at her in surprise.
"Mrs. Weasley?"
"Oh, Harry, I may not be a teenager anymore, but I am not blind," She paused, as if wondering whether to go on or not. "You know, that's not the only couple that's been a long time coming…" she said, in a knowing voice.
Harry felt himself blush. "That's not up to me, Mrs. Weasley. It's up to Ginny; I don't even know if she can forgive me…I wouldn't blame her if she didn't." She observed Harry for a moment, before speaking.
"Well, I can only say one thing. True love is a powerful magic, and nothing, not even a Weasley's temper can keep it at bay for long." She gave Harry a last searching look and Harry noticed her blood shot eyes, a tell tale sign of recent crying, before patting his cheek and walking back up to the castle.
Harry remained where Mrs. Weasley left him for a minute or two, watching as Ron and Hermione began to walk around the lake, then he knew what he must do. He got up, and headed towards the castle looking forward to talking to a certain Red headed girl. But before Harry got even up the stairs, a disheveled looking McGonagall ran up to meet him.
"Potter, you're opinion is needed," she said hurriedly and then led him back into the Great Hall. He followed behind her, observing the cleaning of the Entrance Hall as he went. House Elf and Human alike were scrubbing Hogwarts floor clean of the blood and grime; Hermione would be proud.
He passed through the doors to the Great Hall where a large group of people were all standing before the Head table. Kingsley Shacklebolt was standing before them, hands raised, trying to calm them; the crowd was shouting and yelling angrily.
"Now, now!" he was crying across the crowd in his deep booming voice. "We can't resort to Voldemort's level can we?"
The crowd yelled back angrily.
"Kill them now!" shouted a man's voice.
"They're the reason my sister is dead!" shouted a woman's voice.
"What's going on?" Harry asked McGonagall quietly as they reached the edges of the crowd.
"They are arguing about the fates of the Malfoy's. Many want to just have them killed and be done with it, but Kingsley won't hear of it." She whispered back. People seemed to become aware that he was standing behind them.
"There's Harry! Ask Harry!" The crowd shouted. Kingsley sighed and raised a hand to wave Harry up to where he stood; McGonagall pushed him towards the Head Table. Harry walked slowly through the crowd, who parted for him as he approached. He reached the table, and met Kingsley, who gave him a little nod.
"Now, what seems to be the problem?" Harry asked, gazing out at the crowd.
"Shacklebolt is allowing those murderers walk free!" Yelled Amos Diggory. Harry stared at him for a moment.
"So most of you think that the family should be killed here on the spot?" Harry asked again.
The crowd roared its agreement.
"If we did that, what would differ us from Voldemort? Killing people without trial?" Harry asked slowly. The crowd thought for a second, before Seamus' mother called out from the crowd.
"We fight fire with fire!" She cried, and the crowd around her cheered.
"NO! Didn't you people learn anything from Voldemort?" Harry roared, causing many of the crowd to jump. "We fight fire with love. We fight with mercy and understanding. We must fully understand the situation before we cast blame and punishment."
The crowd remained silent, although quite a few faces looked angry.
"I suppose it would surprise you all to know that I am only alive and Voldemort dead thanks to Narsissa Malfoy." Harry allowed this to sink in, and most of the faces looked genuinely surprised.
"It is thanks to Mrs. Malfoy that we are free. Perhaps that will remind you all of the importance of a fair trial, and not jumping to conclusions. The Malfoys will be imprisioned until they can receive a fair trial, may that be a lesson for all of you about jumping to conclusions." He said more quietly. Just then he saw several red haired people go walking briskly across the Entrance hall. "If that's all you needed…" He trailed off looking towards Kingsley, whom nodded, and with that, Harry walked quickly to try and follow the Weasley's. He skidded around the corner, just in time to see Mrs. Weasley, George and Ginny all turning on the spot (Ginny clutched Mrs. Weasley's arm) and disapperate into thin air. Ron stood on the stairs, his arm still around Hermione's shoulder. Harry slowly approached them.
"What's up?" he asked, approaching Ron's other side.
"They've just gone to get some of Fred's clothes for Fred to be…to be…" Ron started and faltered feebly.
"For the funeral," Hermione finished for him gently.
"Why didn't you go with them?" Harry asked Ron, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I dunno," Ron said honestly, still gazing at the spot where part of his family had disappeared.
"You should go, Ron," Hermione said quietly.
"Yeah…yeah…maybe you're right," Ron said slowly, unwrapping his arm from Hermione's shoulders.
"We'll be waiting here for you when you get back," Hermione said, giving him a quick hug around his middle.
Ron nodded, and quickly walked down the stairs, going to the place where his family had disapperated just moments ago. He flashed Hermione and Harry a quick shocked semi-smile, before turning on the spot, and then he was gone.
"How's he doing?" Harry asked Hermione the moment he was gone.
"Good, considering the circumstances," Hermione said, turning to look at Harry. "It's just so terrible; I don't know how Mrs. Weasley will get over this."
"I don't think you ever get over things like this," Harry said, gazing over the grounds. "You just learn to live with it."
"So what's going to happen to…to the body?" Harry asked Hermione, sitting down on the steps of the castle.
"Well, apparently their not quite sure," Hermione said, looking around to make sure no one was around. "I mean, obviously they never planned for this. They have a wizarding cemetery near the Burrow…but most of the plots have been bought up and their not sure if they can find a spot by the rest of the Weasley's there. Of course, they don't want him somewhere completely random."
"They should bury him here," said Harry, looking at the spot in the distance where Dumbledore's tomb stood.
"Oh, but Harry, Dumbledore is the only person to ever be buried here. The founders never wanted anyone buried here because of the fear of an excess of haunting in the school. Apparently, the governors were really reluctant to even grant him the privilege."
"If anyone deserves it," Harry said, slowly standing up, an idea forming in his mind. "It's the people who gave their lives for this school."
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked, standing up as well.
"I've got to find McGonagall. I want to know what's going to happen to the rest of them."
Hermione followed him through the Entrance Hall and into the Great Hall were McGonagall was clearly visible talking to Kingsley.
"Professor," Harry called, weaving his way through the crowd towards her.
"Yes, Potter," she said briskly, turning to see him.
"They should be buried here, all of them. There should be a memorial graveyard or something like that." He said, looking only at McGonagall and ignoring the looks that this statement had made.
"Well, Potter," she said slowly, considering what he had just said. "I suppose that would be the right thing to do, it certainly is fitting, but there is the matter of the School Governors to be dealt with. They were not too happy to let Dumbledore rest here."
"I don't care, Professor," Harry said, honestly. "I don't give a damn what they say. They haven't fought and died for that school. I say we do it, and if they have a problem, they can deal with me."
"And me," Hermione said, standing a little straighter.
There was a general murmur of "me too"s from the surrounding crowd that Harry didn't realize were listening.
"Well, Potter…I guess we'll start making the arrangements." McGonagall said, giving him a searching look. "You know, you're becoming everything that Dumbledore and your Parents would have wanted, Potter."
With that she turned away from him and continued talking with Kingsley.
Harry looked at Hermione and jerked his head towards the door.
"Fancy a walk?" Harry asked.
"Sure," and with that they walked out of the Great Hall and onto the smooth grass of the Front Lawn.