He felt nothing. Looking around, all he could see was destruction, suffering and death, there was nothing left of what was once a magnificent school which housed beautiful memories; stones and dust were all that was left.
The cries of those in agony and pain no longer registered in the boy's ears, whereas such distressing sounds would, some time ago, have spurred a much greater reaction from the battle-scarred fighter.
The red splatters on the ground and the smell of rotting flesh in the air no longer bothered him. He felt no connection whatsoever to the place as he surveyed the ruins and desolation.
"Harry!"
The familiar voice tore him out of his stupor as the boy turned around, managing a forced grin as a tear-stained girl crashed straight into him with a hug which knocked out what little air he had left in his lungs.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're alright." his best friend said, scanning him up and down.
She bit her lip. "Well, relatively alright, at least."
Harry looked at the girl he'd considered to be his best friend and a sister for seven years, and was relieved to see that she was not sporting any major injuries. Sure, both of them were roughed up with cuts and bruises and broken bones, but at least there was nothing life-threatening.
"Are you okay?" he asked, patting Hermione on her back.
She gave him a look, one he'd received many, many times over the years.
"Who am I kidding," he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "But, well, did anyone...hurt you?"
The cruelty and viciousness of the Death Eaters were a common fact; one the criminals themselves proudly proclaimed.
"No, I made it out just fine."
Harry gave another grin, this time the movement coming a bit more from the heart.
"I'm glad."
"Oh, Harry!"
This time, the Boy-Who-Lived was assaulted by a flying figure who pinned him down with an "oomph".
"How are you, Harry?" the youngest Weasley asked, tears in her eyes. "I was so worried! You can't imagine how glad I was to see you kill Voldemort-"
"Ginny-" Harry wheezed. "Breathing...is...not...optional…"
"Oh, sorry! Did I hurt you?" Ginny gasped, getting off the fallen boy as she looked for injuries.
"No, I'm fine." he grimaced.
"I'm so happy this is all finally over." she sighed, hugging Harry, who had just stood up. "All of us, especially you, deserve some peace."
"We all are, Gin. We all are." her youngest brother said, battle-worn as he made his way over to his friends.
There was silence for a moment as the four recalled the terrible battle, one which took the lives of many friends and family.
"Fred." Ron choked, as Hermione patted his back soothingly.
"We all lost someone." she said, tears running at the thought of her parents, who would never know their daughter again.
"The only thing we can do is to stay strong and live our life the best we can from now on."
Her voice was shaky and muffled with sobs but it was enough for everyone to realise how they had to let go of everything, even though they just couldn't.
"Hermione's right." Ginny said, burying her face in Harry's shoulder. "We won't let him take anything more from us. He won't haunt us anymore. We should settle down, rebuild, marry…"
The word seemed to hang in the air as Hermione, Ron and Harry froze.
"I mean, you'll marry me, right Harry? We love each other and have dated so long."
"Um, Ginny, I broke up with you…"
"That was before all of this." Ginny said, gripping his arm tighter. "You didn't want me to get hurt, and I'm really glad for you looking out for me. Now that everything's over, we can get back together again."
"I'm sorry, Ginny, but don't you think it's a bit too soon? So much has happened these few days. Right now, the priorities are to heal the injured and bury the dead." Harry swallowed at that.
"Mom's in a mess, Gin." Ron agreed. "We all need some time to work things out, maybe have a break to deal with everything."
Reluctantly, Ginny agreed, letting go of her vice-like grip on Harry's arm.
The days flew by as England struggled to rebuild itself. But the peace they had craved so much never came. Instead, a second wave of war and terror swept across Europe.
"Civil war in Germany breaks out"
"Newest power in Europe?
Mr Rasputere who emerged victorious in the German civil war has gone on to gain enormous support in Italy and Hungary, and is now Minister in all three countries, a feat that is unmatched by anyone in history. Mr Rasputere, a Pureblood is currently striving to ban Muggleborns from studying in magical schools.
'It is a total waste of our resources," Mr Rasputere explains. "A magical government should serve those of its own and not outsiders.'
Dominated by Purebloods, there is little opposition towards Mr Rasputere in Germany, Italy and Hungary. However, Muggleborns all over Europe are enraged at the appearance of this new tyrant, claiming that he is promoting prejudice…"
"Business siblings Taras and Marina Orlov build hospitals across four countries
The Russian brother and sister, heads of their successful family business, are making an effort to lessen the impact brought upon by the war. As of now, they have built six hospitals in Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia to help relieve the burden on St Mungos and provide better medical care for those who are disabled due to the war.
The siblings explain that they feel a need to help the society.
'Europe gave us many business opportunities and riches,' Marina Orlov stated. 'It is only right for us to give something back.'
The Orlovs are also well-known for their lack of judgement based on social standing and blood, often selecting persons based on talents and abilities. It is rumoured that…"
"Netherlands on the verge of war with Denmark!"
"Relations between Greece and Bulgaria worsen"
Throwing down the latest issue of the Daily Prophet, Harry Potter decided that he had had enough. Living in the Burrow was exhausting. While he did enjoy being with his friends, he was saddened to see the damage brought upon the Weasley family, and was deeply impacted by the sombre mood in the once-lively house. He was also starting to get annoyed at Ginny, who was constantly pestering him to no end. Everyone was dealing with their own issues; marriage was just not on his mind.
He took in a deep breath as he recalled the glassy looks of the fallen on the battlefield, the moans of the injured and the cries of those who lost a friend or family. He was tired of everyone treating him like a hero and a legend
What hero am I, when I bring so much destruction? he thought.
He hated how the Ministry was trying to use him as an advertisement for their campaigns, and how most of the population threw themselves at his feet. All he longed for was to live a normal life.
I have to go, he thought. Go to somewhere I won't be worshipped, somewhere I can get away from all of this.
Making up his mind, Harry wrote a note to Hermione, telling him to meet him outside the Burrow.
"You want to leave, don't you?" Hermione said, looking her best friend in the eye.
"How did you know?"
She sighed as her shoulders sagged.
"I want to, too. I know how you hate all the attention and want to get away from everything." she explained. "This...this just isn't the life I want to live, either."
"Thanks for understanding." Harry said, grasping her hands. "You know, Hermione, you are my best friend. You're the only one who always stood by me and saw me for who I am. Thanks for everything."
"You're leaving soon."
It was a simple statement, but Harry could feel her trust and lack of judgement, for which he was glad.
"Can I come along with you?" she asked quietly, though she already knew what his response would be.
Harry sighed. Hermione was his best friend and he didn't want to deny her, after all these years when she stood firmly by him at his side.
"I'm sorry but there are some things I need to sort out alone." he replied.
"Do write," Hermione said, biting her lip. "I'd hate to lose you too."
"You'll always have me." Harry said, hugging her tight. "You're my sister."
"So," Hermione said after a moment of silence. "Have you prepared everything you need?"
Harry nodded.
"I've packed all the things I need." he said, gesturing to his backpack, which undoubtedly had an extension charm.
"Well, that leaves only one thing." Hermione said. "Your appearance."
Waving her wand over Harry, Hermione muttered a few glamour charms and conjured a mirror for her best friend to see his new appearance.
"Interesting." Harry murmured, taking in his black eyes, brownish hair and slightly taller frame. "Thanks for getting rid of the glasses."
"The eyesight charm will last until you choose to remove it." Hermione said. "You look so much better without glasses.
"Thanks." Harry said, giving her a genuine smile. "I've left a note for everyone; it will appear on the dining table automatically tomorrow morning."
"I'll tell everyone not to worry." Hermione promised.
"I guess I should be going now." Harry said, shifting his weight from one foot to another, unsure of how to say goodbye.
"Stay safe." Hermione said. "I'd like you to be back in one piece."
That's if I come back, Harry thought, as he took off.
A/N: Thanks for reading! So how's it? My first Harry Potter fanfic! I'll be updating often and this will be a multi chapter fic. Please feel free to leave comments, and constructive criticism is welcome :)