Obviously, I don't own Harry—if I did, I wouldn't be here. Anyway…I like to give credit to all the characters & most places to JK Rowling (the Queen of Potterdom). Also….I am a big fan of Haley J. The Bat's story "Lost Moment" and have therefore used it for some minor background. It's a good tidbit, Haley J. has others, I suggest you go read them all. Anyone who feels I've erred in canon (eg. history, spelling, etc), feel free to let me know. Please review, anyway. I'd like to know if this is being read, even if it's not liked. 2 jobs takes up most my time, so I hope to update at least every other week. Thanks & enjoy!
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The final battle seemed to wage on for ages. Civilizations rose & fell; babies born grew old & died—all within the timeframe of this war. True enough, in some ways—the war had taken many lives & neither the wizarding world nor the Muggle one would be the same. But, in the end, Voldemort's new reign had only lasted 3 years—so short, yet so long.
Harry's ultimate defeat of Voldemort cost more than all the galleons Gringotts held & nowhere was it more evident that at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. There was no Slytherin house, Defense Against the Dark Arts was the most popular class (due to students desire to prepare for the uncertain future & the fact that Remus Lupin had been reinstated to the position of Professor), curriculum centered on educating students to live in the "new" world. No teacher was blind to the fact that, though Voldemort was destroyed, the Dark Arts were still a threat by his remaining supporters. Whispers of a new Dark Lord rising filled hallways, classrooms & dormitories….though only 6 months had passed since Voldemort's destruction. The biggest change was the new headmistress, Minerva McGonagal. Dumbledore handed her the school at the end of last term & quietly retired to a cottage coincidently close to the Burrow.
The world had changed. But, as with all changes, many things remained the same. Hagrid still believed all creatures were misunderstood & safe enough to present for study or keep for a pet. House elves remained to live out their humble existence in servitude—much to Hermione Granger's disappointment. Nearly Headless Nick still roamed the halls bemoaning his nearly headless state and Snape was still there. To the displeasure of those on the outskirts of the war, and there were many, he was unchanged. It was incomprehensible that Dumbledore allowed him to stay on after all that had happened but the staff knew better & if they didn't know the details, they trusted Dumbledore & McGonagal that Severus Snape was not a threat. Only one student, however, knew the facts. Ginny Weasley had finally come to see Snape in a much different light. All her friends thought she was crazy when she stood up to him in class—for he still harbored ill-will to all houses, save his own (though it was defunct). Perhaps he also sought the youngest Weasley out, just as he had Harry Potter because she was the only one who knew of his part in the war.
Snape spied, risked his life & saved many others. In Ginny's eyes, at least, he had redeemed many of his harsh acts in years past. She knew Ron, Harry & Hermione agreed—though Ron would always hold a grudge because he was just that way & Harry…well, Ginny believed she understood his feelings more than the others. Snape had reluctantly taken up training Harry on Occlumency in the years after Voldemort's return & Harry learned much of Snape's own past during those sessions. James Potter's resentment of Snape was justifiable once, but no more. Snape was to be pitied, but also respected. Harry owed him a debt of gratitude, just as Snape owed Harry his life—possibly a fact that made Snape even more disagreeable. Hermione was all for forgive & forget. He was completely redeemed in her eyes, despite is continuing surliness. She sent him owls with small gifts & cards on a regular basis. Ginny could only imagine the ways in which Snape disposed of this fan mail.
It was lonelier now at Hogwarts for Ginny. She visited Hagrid & Professor Lupin often and she was close to the girls in her dorm. But so much of her time had been spent with Ron & his friends in the last 2 years that she felt a bit disconnected to her own class. The 4 girls she shared a room with were all so different than her. They had not been physically, emotionally or even economically touched by the evil times that befell their world. They saw a romance & glory in the war that just wasn't there. Ginny could have told them—told them all how dark the days got, how exhausting & hopeless it felt. The pain of seeing friends & their families injured or killed, or even driven mad, by a Death Eater. Facing Voldemort by Harry's side & almost succumbing to a Dementor's kiss.
Yes. It all made for a terribly exciting & romantic story…if it hadn't been real & if she hadn't witnessed it firsthand. Her friends could never know her part in it all. They'd ply her with questions, mostly about Harry. Terribly inappropriate ones at that. And Merlin help Ron & Hermione if Rita brought up their budding romance in one of her gossip columns. Rita wrote a glorious & triumphant tale of Harry's escapades, leaving many relevant facts out. She had confessed to being an Animagi & was on probation. She was also recruited to use her column to communicate messages between members of the Order. Hermione had a near aneurism when she found out.
Many were left believing Harry single-handedly defeated Voldemort, 1 to nothing—with no detrimental effects. The Quibbler, however, published the only true account of the rise & fall of the Dark Lord, even going so far as to put Voldemort's name in print.
Things changed, things stayed the same. Two months had passed when Hogwarts opened again for Ginny's final year. She was lonely, but happy. Content & restless. Satisfied & worried. She had the worries of her brother combined with the overwhelming realization that she loved Harry Potter. No school-girl crush could compare. It was simple & true, whether or not he'd have her, Harry was the love of her life. He sent her off with just a look & a kindness that gave her hope. He'd been through so much, gave so much of himself, but now, maybe he'd finally let himself be normal. Well, as normal as any wizard or witch could be.
Two weeks until Christmas. Two weeks until she saw Harry again. And, maybe when she returned to school Ginny would have a boyfriend. She rolled her eyes at the thought & felt guilt for thinking about happiness when so much had gone wrong. What right did she have to be happy when her own brother was paying the ultimate price?