Hey there!
So, I posted the original version of this, and another HP fic some time ago, but I've decided to completely redo this (and possibly merge some of the parts from both the olds ones – but I doubt many will recognise those parts which I do include, since I don't think they were even posted – for the most part, at least ;) )
Hope you like…

Title: Prove Yourself Worthy
Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: This will mainly revolve around Astoria and Daphne's lives, which will include their interactions with other Slytherins and, hopefully, show how they all deal with returning to Hogwarts after the War.
Summary: It has been said that the world is changing; that the prejudices of old are being pushed aside in light of a new wave of opinion. Acceptance. The Slytherins returning to Hogwarts intend to test this theory.

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what."
Harper Lee

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Prologue: The World We Live In

There is talk of change in our world.

People say Harry Potter saved us all once; twice even; and he will continue to do so by creating a new world, a better world, in which we will all live.

All witches and wizards, as one.

I'll believe it when I see it.

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Right now, the trials are still ongoing. It's true, the majority have been 'dealt with', but the matters will never be fully laid to rest. Not like the bodies of the fallen.

There are murmurs as we walk down the street, people whispering and others staring, those who are more bold point fingers and hurl abuse. They lay blame at our feet for something we never made claim to.

If adults can look at children and treat them this way, what hope do we have that their own children won't act in the same way?

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Here's everything I know about war: somebody wins, somebody loses, and nothing is ever the same again.

Never let them tell you it's about glory… it's about death and loss.

Death divides and death unites; and I reckon I already know what side I'll be on.

It's the way it's always been; they'll soon see.

One quarter against three: it's not a fair fight, but then, it never has been.

Make it all against all and then maybe we'll progress to something better.

Maybe we'll make a future that was worth fighting for.

.

All those who lived through the Battle of Hogwarts will never forget; the dead have not been allowed to.

But the truth is, we lived numb and cold most of the time.

I know because I lived among them, because I was one of them.

An innocent person died here or there and we sort of… looked at the newspaper or radio with a blank stare. Every once in a while we might shake our heads or say 'too bad.'

In truth, we were guilty of dehumanising the suffering and death of others. Somehow, people began to allow their minds to be warped by the idea that the end justified the means.

Even standing back, it let others declare that killing innocent people was the price we had to pay for freedom; it suggested we endorsed this view.

I never claimed to follow such ideals; I have seen all too clearly what the death of the innocent could do to people.

And there can be no freedom from the quilt of a conscience with innocent blood on its hands.

I won't let them say we all are at fault; I won't allow them to shift the blame onto us.

Slytherin will not be made to suffer alone for the happenings of the War.

We are not the only villains in this tale.

Some aren't villains at all.

TBC…

Quotes:
The second bold part adapted from: "We lived numb and cold most of the time. An innocent person died here or there in an act of terror, or rather, in the act of war and we sort of looked at the newspaper or radio with a blank stare. Every once in a while we would shake our heads and say 'too bad'. We were guilty of dehumanising the suffering and death of others.
Somehow we allowed our minds to be warped by the idea that the end justified the means. We stood back and let others declare that the killing of innocent people was the price we had to pay for freedom, and we endorsed this view. But there can be no freedom from the guilt of a conscience with innocent blood on its hands."
I changed this somewhat from the original version, which I found on the Internet; last year some time, I think it was. It was credited as 'Unknown', but if anyone does in fact know the identity of the person who penned or typed this, please let me know.
"Here's everything I know about war: somebody wins, somebody loses, and nothing is ever the same again." – 'Andromeda'

I should have the first chapter up before the end of the week :)
Thanks for reading, and please let me know what you think – it means a lot!
Steph
xxx