Hello Potterheads! My name is Ashley and I have finally succumbed to the pull of writing fanfiction. I decided I am going to just start out with some Harry Potter (my favorite series ever) moments after the war against Voldemort. Please comment, and I love constructive criticism! I hope you enjoy!
I could sleep forever and that still wouldn't be long enough. I think to myself as I clamber through the portrait hole. My glasses are smudged around the edges, indicating that Hermione's charm that kept them in optimal shape is starting to wear off. Honestly, I couldn't care less right now. At the moment, all I feel is fatigue. I know that in a couple of hours, all of the feelings I would much rather avoid will come rushing at me like Niagara Falls. Still, I minus well get some rest before it is impossible. Walking without really thinking, I trudge upstairs to my old four poster and lie down.
I am sprinting through the forbidden forest, prickling thorns slashing at my skin and the dirt swirling around my shoes. The line of trees seem as if they are on repeat. I am stuck in a never ending terrain, but before I can really take in my surroundings I have run past it. Suddenly, I run into the clearing I had met Voldemort in, but there is something different that I can't seem to figure out. Voldemort is there, with a sickening grin spread across his pale face, both hands grasping at his wand. He is accompanied by hundreds of death eaters, but as I look more closely I realize those people aren't his followers. Their masks are on, concealing their faces, but they have much different body types then the death eaters that infiltrated Hogwarts today.
Then, the death eater on Voldemort's right side starts to inch their silver mask off of their face. As the cover lowers, I see that the death eater is actually Fred, smiling as if he and George had just set a dung bomb off in the common room. I stare onward, unable to tear my eyes away. Next, Remus Lupin removes his mask, sharing a smile much like Fred's. Following Lupin comes Tonks, who reaches for her deceased husband's hand. Snape's mask falls, along with Colin's. Dobby is even among the crowd. Soon, hundreds of students from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have removed their masks, staring at me with their mocking smiles. Finally, every face has been revealed, and they all begin to speak in perfect unison.
"We fought for you Harry. We believed in you, and you let us all die."
I want to respond, tell them I didn't mean for this to happen and that I'm truly sorry, but I just stand. Stand, without even blinking an eye, staring at the people who had given up their lives for me. My eyes flick towards Voldemort's, and his smile stretches even wider.
"You will never escape us, Harry Potter," he says as he lifts his wand.
I jerk upright from my bed. Perspiration drips down my forehead as I gather my bearings. I am Harry Potter. I am in my dorm. The war has just ended. The war has ended. I begin to relive the fight, standing alongside Fred and looking at Lupin and Tonks, lying peacefully beside each other. Before I even know what I am really doing, tears pour down my face. Once they have started, I know I can't stop them, and I shrink into a ball atop of my royal red bed covers. I sob like I never have before, letting my grief control me.
Hours seem to pass before I hear the slight creak of the bedroom door opening. I don't bother on looking up at whoever is here, they will probably have the courtesy to leave me alone.
"Harry, you were missing from the banquet and I had begone to worry. I brought you a small sandwich," I hear a soft voice say, trembling slightly when my name is spoken.
"Ginny. I-I... thank you." I stammer, faintly aware of my blotchy cheeks and tear tracks. She doesn't comment, but she walks over and hands me a turkey sandwich on wheat bread. I accept the food graciously, and start to nibble on an end. We sit in silence as I chew on my dinner, both of us looking into each other's eyes. Her magnificent eyes, the color of green that seems to be made from the leaves of tropical palm trees, seem to be filled with ache and longing. I remember that today she has just lost her older brother, and is suffering just as much as I am.
"I am so sorry. This is my fault and to see this happen to everyone just-" I begin, choking on my words.
"Harry James Potter. Do not even try to place the blame of this on your own shoulders," Ginny retorts, yet her expression just seems to be tired. Sad and tired.
"But if I had just gone earlier or faster this could have been avoided," I reply, thinking of all the things I had done wrong today, consequently ruining lives forever.
"Harry, you have been the most brave person the world has ever seen today, and you have done the most amazing job ever. Everyone who has passed away from this war can now rest in peace because of you. So many people are proud of you Harry, and thank you," she says, planting a kiss on my cheek before getting up off the bed. I see a silent tear slide down her cheek, and I know the pain she is feeling right now is because of me. I could have saved her from this, and the thought makes me feel infuriated.
"I wish I could have saved you from this pain, Ginny. I'm sorry I did this to you." I apologize, hoping she sees what I see and will accept my apologies instead of just dismissing the whole issue.
"Harry, this isn't your fault," she says again, now stepping closer to me. "You would have made your parents proud."
And at that final word, I felt my walls collapsing as I rush towards Ginny. She opens up her arms and I crash into her, bawling as if I am 5. Everything we have been through is all coming to me again, but now I have a reason to be joyful. Now, as we both cry into each other's arms, we know that we have each other, and will for the rest of our lives.