Finale
By diesel writer
A/n: Okay, so welcome to the beginning of a brand-new fic by a brand-new author. No, I'm not a newbie, and heck no I'm not some preteen trying out her writing skills on the Internet. I've written many fics before this one, I've just been sharing them with my two sisters and haven't had the time (a.k.a. I've been too lazy) to post on the Internet. This, however, is my first attempt at a post-war fic, so it should (hopefully) be interesting.
Summary: The end of the final battle: Harry has to find what he's missing. A look into the proceedings and immediate aftermath of the destruction of Lord Voldemort. Will contain all major HP characters.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero. De nada. Wait- that means you're welcome…? De nothing. There you go. Mrs. Rowling owns everything, and her being #746 on Forbes' Filthy Stinking Rich People List is a very big indication of that. She's worth—extends right pinky and lifts it to rest on the corner of right side of mouth—one billion dollars. So, yeah, since I'm worth about one dollar, I obviously don't own Harry Potter. She does. Not me. Get the picture? Good. De nothing.
Dedication: Dedicated to…um…me! Wait, that sounds selfish…okay, dedicated to anyone who reads this! Because your special—in a good way!
Rating: K+ (I think) for violence, profanity, and dark themes.
Final Note: If I've missed any seriously important characters in this, please let me know, so I can edit it to add them. By seriously important characters, that can go for either the good, the bad, or (in Snape's case) the ugly side. Ha ha, joking about the Snape…kind of….Don't worry, though, because Snape's in it.
Also, this is not a one-shot. It was originally, but now it's not. The first chapter underlines the one-shot, and the chapters coming after this will highlight on major battle scenes and events to happen afterward. So, yes, you can totally bug me about updating, because otherwise I won't do it. Seriously, I won't unless I know someone cares. Just one review is all it takes, because I won't be one of those people who hold chapters for ransom until I get 80 reviews (or however much it generally is). So, yes, be on the lookout for more chapters.
And without further ado, here's my story:
Finale
The final fight.
Many dead, more wounded.
Bodies litter the ground, some unidentifiable.
One stands alone, looking out across the battlefield.
Who knew a neighborhood could make a battlefield?
But that's what Godric's Hollow had turned out to be, when Harry and Voldemort had squared off.
Now Harry looked out across the street.
Death Eaters and members of the Order of the Phoenix all lay out in front of him.
He was the only one standing.
Voldemort's corpse lay behind him.
No one was moving in front of him, although gentle moans and whimpers could be heard.
Harry stumbled along the street. He couldn't rest until he knew.
He tripped over a body. He looked down to find Antonin Dolohov's arm sticking out of a pile of Death Eater bodies that had been thrown together unceremoniously.
Severus Snape was rising to his feet, dusting himself off beside the pile of his former allies.
The two made eye contact.
Snape nodded curtly. Harry returned the gesture.
Snape went off to help those injured. Harry continued on.
Because, even now, Snape had to redeem himself to the light side.
Because Harry had to know.
A streak of red met his bright green eyes. He almost cricked his neck to check-
But it was only the twins, Fred and George Weasley. Both had sat up and were checking on their older brother Charlie, who was still unconscious.
Warm relief spread through Harry as he continued to search.
He had to know.
More people were starting to rise.
Minerva McGonagall was administering aid, as was Molly Weasley.
Harry actually smiled at that.
Healers were also Apparating on the scene and were beginning to aid those in immediate danger.
A familiar face stared up at him from the ground.
Neville Longbottom's eyes were glassy and far gone, but a small smile played on his blue lips.
Bellatrix Lestrange lay dead four feet away.
Harry swallowed the lump in his throat and closed Neville's eyes.
And he continued on.
Because he had to know.
Draco Malfoy's normally slicked back hair framed his pale face in disarray.
Crabbe and Goyle lay at his side, loyal to the end.
All three were dead, and a bushy-haired somebody was slowly rising to her feet.
Harry had finally found part of what he was seeking.
Hermione retrieved her wand and turned around to face Harry.
She was cradling her right hand. It had been shattered to pieces.
She hardly seemed to care as she threw her right arm around him and started to cry on his shoulder.
He rubbed her back and felt a tear of happiness escape his eye.
But he couldn't stop now.
He had to know.
So he kept a protective arm around her shoulder and steered her around the battlefield.
Hermione gasped and Harry turned to look at her, his stomach plummeting.
Remus was kneeling above a bloody figure. His back was to both of them, but he was visibly shaking. He was holding the limp figure's hand.
Remus Lupin was sobbing over a mangled, bloodied, and dead Tonks.
Fenrir Greyback lay dead a few feet away, his face covered in blood. Whether it was his own or someone else's could never be determined.
Harry had to look away and squeeze his eyes shut. He heard nothing from Hermione, but she was shaking harder than ever.
Harry continued on, his arm still around Hermione.
He had to know and so did she.
Another flash of red lying on the ground-
A man lay stone cold alongside his wife. Their hands were clasped together.A small sob escaped Hermione's throat and Harry closed his eyes, willing the scene away.
Bill and Fleur were both dead.
Harry led Hermione away, because they both had to know.
And they ran into Ginny.
She had been completely burned. Her hair was singed and large welts were on her face and hands.
She was staring at her brother's and sister's-in-law lifeless bodies, tears filling her eyes.
But then she looked up into Harry's eyes, and all the fear and sadness escaped her and was replaced with a great happiness and unimaginable relief.
Harry, Hermione, and Ginny shared a hug together, as fierce and strong as their friendship.
Harry and Ginny shared a kiss, as passionate and affectionate as their love.
Hermione and Ginny shared a cry, as happy and caring as their sisterhood.
Hermione and Harry shared a laugh, as free and warm as their relationship.
And all three continued on.
Because there was a missing piece.
And they all had to know.
More people were beginning to rise, beginning to help others.
The trio stayed away from the groups of Healers, from the questioning eyes of those beginning to stir.
Ginny tensed under Harry's hold on her waist, and he turned to where she was looking.
Arthur Weasley was holding his son in his arms, crying openly for everyone to see, but he did not care.
Percy's hollowed eyes stared at the sky, completely blank.
A dementor had taken his soul away.
Tears were falling down Ginny's face, and Hermione was shaking with uncontrolled sobs.
Harry could not watch this heart-wrenching scene, so he guided the girls away.
Because they all had to know. They had to.
Nagini the snake lay dead in the gutter, taken care of by Harry earlier before the final fight. With the final Horcrux out of the way, Harry was able to finally destroy the darkest wizard of all time.
They passed on down the street.
They stopped in front of a corpse, lying cold by the sidewalk.
He was lifeless, but Harry could never find remorse for the traitor before him.
Peter Pettigrew had been killed.
And the murderer was five feet away, sitting up against a blasted mailbox post.
And they finally found the missing piece.
It was Ron.
The trio ran together as one to him; to the best friend, the lover, the brother.
And all three felt tears fall down their cheeks as he looked up into their faces.
A gash in his arm was bleeding profusely, and an even longer cut trailed over his right eye. He could no longer see out of it.
But he was still alive.
They all were.
And that was all that mattered.
He gave them that goofy grin they were all used to, and they immediately pulled him up into a hug.
The perfect moment; the puzzle completed.
A/n: Okay, that's it for the first installment / prologue / first chapter / one-shot but not really…etc. Check in for another update soon (like, 2-3 days, give or take). I dunno, I might be generous and get another one out earlier than expected. So Happy (belated) Easter! Please review (nicely), and constructive criticism is always helpful, but flames do nothing but incense the writer to write more garbage. Thanks for reading!
diesel writer