A Woman scorned
Chapter 1 Heroes and PrizesHarry felt like he could have slept for years. His body still ached from the battle, but his head had finally stopped pounding, and best thing was that his scar had not hurt since Voldemorts death. For once in Harry's life, he felt content, mixed with a great sense of accomplishment.
His sleep was no longer marred with nightmares that were accompanied by the sound of a high cold voice, which infected and chilled every nerve of his mind.
Harry snorted in his sleep, and rolled over. Happy at last
"Master Harry"
Harry groaned and swatted the air as if to hit a bothering fly, his sleep was to good to be disturbed. "Master Harry" came the croaky voice again, this time with more confidence
"What?" He replied
"Kreacher is been sent to summon Harry to the Headmistress office" Kreacher answered. "You must be quicker sir, the minister is arrived"
Slowly getting up, Harry stretched and yawned.
"What the matter Kreacher?"
"Kreacher know nought sir but it seems urgent"
Harry sat up straight, panic thoughts raced through his minds. He imagined all sorts of pain and horror that could potentially be waiting for him, Death eaters seeking revenge, friends dying. He pushed Kreacher of the bed who landed with a croak and a thud, rushed on a dressing gown that must have been placed by a house elf the night before, and exited out of the boys dormitories, his heart pacing as quick as his steps.
The common room was half full, and as he entered his heart stopped as he heard a loud noise. Applause.
Looking around he saw his fellow Gryiffondor clapping him, with looks of admiration on their faces, Harry smiled and waved
"Thanks guys, but I have to run, see you guys later" and with that he rushed to the portrait hole and opened it and hopped out toppling into a tall figure, with long red hair.
"Blimey Harry" Ron said panicked.
"Cant talk, I have been called to see Kingsley.
And he sped up.
"Wait," Ron shouted, Harry stopped, holding his heart.
"Me and Hermione have been called too,
"You have?" Harry replied looking bemused " well what is it?
Ron smiled, he sensed Harry's worry " Chill out mate, its all over, its probably nothing, You Know…I mean... Voldemort is deader then dead okay"
Harry grinned. " Suppose your right, its just weird not worrying about stuff" He paused" where is Hermione?
Ron rolled his eyes. "She is on her way, she was unpacking the beaded bag and got all emotional over a bottle of dittany."
Harry laughed, "Typical Hermione"
"What?" came her voice from the portrait hole, she appeared and indeed she did have signs of tears on her face.
"Nothing" Harry smirked, "Well come on, I want to find out what it is about"
They all legged it up the corridor, jokingly pushing each other as they did.
"To each of you" Kingly voice boomed, "the ministry has awarded you an Order of Merlin. First class."
They had arrived in the office, where Kingsley stood behind Mcgonagall who was sitting on the huge chair behind the desk. Harry looked at the beaming portrait of Dumbledore, who winked at him
"Bloody Hell" Ron said.
"Ssh Ron" Hermione whispered although Harry noticed a glint of water in her eyes.
Kinglsey smiled, "it is an award usually given to a renowned witch or wizard who has offered great services to the wizarding world, and in your case, the services you provided for our community was exceptionally great, you have saved our world and many, many lives.
"Not to mention" cut in Professor Mcgonagall who was smiling most brightly, an action to Harry, which was quite strange. " You risked all your lives in doing so and with that, you will receive the highest honour bestowed upon you, many men, women and children, including myself and the minister, are grateful". She stood up slowly from her desk, whipped her wand out and said "Accio Medals" Three silver boxes, zoomed from the top most shelves down, and hovered in thin air before Harry, Ron and Hermione.
In union they reached out for the boxes. Harry opened his.
"Harry James Potter
Order of Merlin
First Class"
Truly a Gryffindor and truly his parent's sonHis destiny was dark, and so were the times
But light has now returned to the wizarding world
Harry smiled, as Hermione whispered "Thank you" Ron had a flushed red appearance on his face, pride and happiness radiating from him.
"Also" Kingsley continued, "With the Merlins, you get a substantial amount of money"
Ron's face dropped
"Ten Thousand Galleons"
Ron and Hermione exchanged looks,
"Ten Thousand?" Ron repeated looking awestruck.
"Yes Mr Weasly" Mcgonagall chirped in with amusement in her voice, "Although I doubt you gallivanting around the country, saving lives and risking your own was because you wanted to get paid for it was the motivation for such noble activities, but with the award comes this prize"
"I would not have a clue as what to do with it " Hermione said before she started rabbiting on about saving, investing and setting up an actual charitable organization for SPEW.
"Hermione give it a rest" Ron said, " Well I know what I am doing with mine. After I buy myself a Firebolt, I am going to buy my parents a manor, bigger then Malfoys, open up another shop with George and blimey. Holiday. I want a holiday"
"And you, Mr Potter"
Harry pondered; he had all the money he needed anyways. "I am going to split it between everyone who fought in the war, they all deserve this as much as I do, and if I have any left, I would like it to go on the rebuilding of this school.
"Ooh, I want to do that too" Hermione squealed looking guilty.
Ron looked at his two friends obviously torn between luxuries and helping people, and with a sheepish smile he said, " Well if everybody else is… I guess I will do the same" He paused, "Well after I buy my parents a house"
The minister smiled and said in his deep voice "Even after the war, you three remain humble and selfless" He looked at Mcgonagall " I don't know what you have been teaching these kids Minerva, but keep doing it.
"Thank you Kingsley, well anyway, I believe it is a good idea to share your sum with the war hero's but as for rebuilding the school, that will be funded by the ministry plus with our magical abilities, it wont cost that much anyway. So Mr Weasly you will still be able to buy a broom and go on holiday" She paused, stood up and made her way to look out the window and said with sadness, "You are all free to see the world, why not have that holiday. You all deserve it"
Hermione, Ron and Harry looked at each other. Getting away from Britain, having weeks off to laze around and see things, nothing sounded better.
"After the school is cleaned up however" Mcgonagall voice came accompanied with a groan from Ron, "we need all hands on deck for that"
It was amazing how much magic can make everything so much more simple. Harry walked in to the great hall an hour after he received the award to see hundreds people sweeping and waving their wands. Shards of glass zoomed back in to place, bloodstains vanishing, suits of armour being reassembled. Harry looked outside the halls window and saw Luna, Neville and Parvati fixing the bridge. Mcgonagall was not wrong about the clean up of the castle, and with all those who participated in the war, doing their bit. Harry reckoned Hogwarts would be as good as new in no time, and he, Hermione and Ron would be out of the country. Unless something urgent came up, and with Voldemort being dead, and his death eaters killed or arrested, the chances were slim.
The sun was smiling down upon the castle, the weather matched the mood, and people were laughing whilst they worked,
"Can I have your attention please?" Professor Mcgonagalls voice echoed around the castle. "Today at six o clock we will be holding a memorial service for all those who died during the war, we shall then have a ball tomorrow to celebrate the end of the terror and where we can remember our loved ones in a more friendlier light"
Harry looked across the room and caught Ginny's eye. She smiled and winked. Harry smiled at the thought of dancing with her. She made her way over to him.
"Fancy going to the ball with me?" Harry said. Ginny smiled, " I cant, sorry. Im going with Professor Flitwick" Harry laughed. " Like them small do you? He said.
"Of course not" she smiled and kissed him.
Wolf whistles erupted around the great hall, and they broke apart laughing.
"Well as much as I like watching public displays of affection" Came Mr Weasly voice, "Even if it is my daughter," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "But Harry I need to borrow you for a minute"
"Okay" Harry said, " See you later Ginny" who nodded a bit flushed in her face.
"Well as you know" Mr Weasly said, "Voldemorts body is in the room next to the hall, with Bellatrixs. We need to decide what we are going to do with them".
Harry considered this. He had not thought about this and was kind of hoping that he would not have too see Voldemorts body again.
"Burn them" Harry replied.
"I thought you was say that" Mr Weasly replied grimly
"Come on. Lets get it over it" Harry said.
Together they entered the room, and Harry's heart stopped at the sight of Voldemorts body, imagining life to re enters and those slit like eyes opening. But Voldemorts body remained lifeless.
"You want to do it?" Mr Weasly said
"Yes" Harry said and pulled out his wand and said "Incendio Evanescus" Voldemorts body was encased by flame, getting hotter and hotter and higher. Until the flames stopped and all was left was a scorch mark under the spot where Voldemorts body lay.
Harry felt relieved, he was gone. Really gone.
" Lestrange?" Mr Weasly said, who was wiping sweat of his face from the ferocity of the heat.
Harry walked over to her. She lay in a crumpled position wearing her black robes; her face could not be seen. The women had killed so many people and ruined many others lives. Harry kicked her over, to see that arrogant face one last time. He gasped and his heart stopped. It was not Bellatrix. An unknown man lay in her position wearing Bella's robes.
"What the?" Mr Weasly said and crouched down to the body " I do not understand"
Harry was trying to put two and two together. This was Bellatrix, he moved her body in here himself, and he watched Mrs Weasly kill her. But then he saw it. With cold dread, he noticed a hip flask in the mans robe, Harry snatched it up and smelt the contents. Having taken the potion on numerous occasions he knew exactly what it was. Polyjuice potion.
Feeling angry, Harry turned around to Mr Weasly. " She survived the war. She's still out there Arthur".
Mr Weasly groaned, " Why did she switch with someone else? Surely she would have fought on his side and not escape".
"I have no idea" Harry replied looking intently at the mans body. But it looks like I am not going on this holiday any time soon".
A long way from the castle on a plain field stood tall, dark haired women with heavy eyes lids and a face of fury. It was raining where she was; cold drops of water hit her face as she observed young family packing up a picnic from a distance. Anger and grief raced through her body. She knew about Voldemort demise from the daily prophet and she was wondering what her next move should be. The family was struggling folding the sheet. Stupid muggles she thought. And with that she waved her wand towards the area around them and something exploded. The father of the group was thrown against a tree whilst the mother died instantly. The father stumbled and raced towards the youngest child. She waved her wand again, this time striking them all with lighting. She breasts heaved as she remembered the feeling of a kill. A good kill. The grass was on flames, as she turned away and walked. Flames following her steps as the fire spread. She turned in thin air and disappeared, leaving nothing but a field of fire and three burning bodies.
End of Chapter