A/N- All characters belong to . Only the unrecognizable ones are mine.
After the Rain
Chapter 1
"We are here, this night, to honour those who helped to vanquish the Dark Lord Voldemort and his followers from our midst. Each and every one of you in this hall, have paid dearly for this victory ensuring future generations of withes and wizards live freely. We have given nearly all that we had to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Many heroes, however, cannot be here tonight. These people gave their lives fighting for our cause. We are here to remember them, to honour them, and to make sure their sacrifice will always be remembered. Please let us remember them now, and forever their memories will remain."
...
It's a clear night, and looking up I gather the impression that I can see into the heavens. Around me, tears fall freely from bowed heads to laps. My face is dry, however, and my head is one of the only who is not directed down. My eyes wander through the sky, catching on groupings of stars scattered throughout. My thoughts are with my eyes, drifting wherever they may please.
Someone has lifted their head, a red-headed mother, and is shooting me a dark look. I blink once to her and she scowls before re-bowing her head. I do wish she was not thinking of me as being disrespectful. That is entirely the wrong impression. I do know much more about remembering lost loved ones than many. But the time has come that I no longer mourn the loss of them. Death is not a miserable thing. It happens to everyone. Obviously, it is unjust when it embraces those before their time. But so is the world.
After the remembrance of those gone, came a list of their names. The assembled hundreds accepted it with sombre silence and sober expressions.
It was followed by the award ceremony, beginning with the Order of Merlin, Third and Second classes. Many people, very important to the war effort were recognized by the new minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Seven people were awarded with an Order of Merlin, First Class.
"Sirius Black." Harry Potter went up to receive this award on behalf of his godfather.
"Severus Snape." A tall dark haired man swept up gracefully, robes billowing behind him to receive his award. He stood next to Potter, his face an expressionless mask.
"Remus Lupin." Whoops, my turn. I stood up with a faint smile and walked up to the platform at the front of the room. Grasp Kingsley's hand; walk calmly to stand before this Severus Snape fellow who was looking at me slightly curious.
"Astoria Lovegood." Again I touch Kingsley's hand gently, accepting the medal.
"Ronald Weasley." From an unusually large group of red-heads, including the one woman who had been scowling at me, one tall young man emerged and fumbled up to get his recognition.
"Hermione Granger."Again from the red-heads emerges a young woman with curly brown hair. She goes to stand beside that Ronald Weasley.
"And finally, Harry Potter!" Announces Minister Shacklebolt. Young Mr. Potter grimaces at the announcement of his name, but goes to accept his award. Applause follows that seems to go on forever and a day before it is to be dinner and the dance.