This is only a short one, 500-odd words, but I quite like it. It's my first Fanfiction so any comments would be welcome. Constructive criticism can only help me improve! You'll find out who the characters are in the end, but you might work it out before then from what they say. It should make sense when you know who they are.
Anyway, Enjoy.
The Man and the Other.
They stood amidst the destruction exhausted, dazed and disbelieving. To all intents and purposes they had won, but how could this count as a victory when the price was so high? How could you win when you had lost so many?
"I can't believe it's over." The redhead surveyed the ruins; the shattered tombstones and the bodies strewn far and wide. Apparently this place held some sort of significance to
You-know-who. Maybe it just amused him to see death occur in a graveyard.
The man beside him stirred after standing in silence for many long minutes, only just registering the other's comment.
"Oh no, it's not over. This is just the beginning of the end. There's such a long way to go yet." He fell back into thoughtful silence, stepping forward to inspect more closely one of the bodies.
"Ah, Bella," he sighed quietly "how unfortunate you found the one person with most reason to want your death. Stronger than you remembered wasn't he? Yes, he surprised us all."
"What happened to him in the end? To Neville I mean." asked the other softly.
"I'm not sure. Last I saw he was being transported to St. Mungo's, but he was very far gone. The blood loss was severe. Obviously our friend Severus spread the word about his ingenious spells. I saw that particular one used by at least three Death Eaters."
The ground was littered with bodies, both Order members and Death Eaters, and the crimson-stained grass shone in the dawn light.
They had been fighting through the night, the multitude of flying curses more than enough to illuminate the crisp night air.
You-know-who had been defeated, but Harry had died from his injuries not long after the killing curse was performed. He hadn't called out to anyone for help, just lain there on the ground where he fell waiting for the release of death. He had finally lost all will to live, so utter was his despair at witnessing Ginny's brutal demise.
Ron was at St.Mungo's, having survived the blaze at Hogwarts, but not without terrible burns. Hermione was at his side, having been told the damage to her hand would most likely be treatable; the hand on which her day old ring glistened.
"Any word on Fred?" asked the man.
The other's eyes glanced away quickly and, staring fixedly at the nearest grave, he replied,
"No. But Madam Pomfrey was taking care of him, and she'll do all she can."
"Yes. She has much experience in this area through seven years of caring for me. He's in the best possible hands with her."
The other nodded slightly.
"How many of us are left?"
The man sighed,
"I've no idea of numbers, but the losses are great. However, there are enough to hunt down those who escaped and finally end this."
"We ought to be going," said the man "Ministry officials will be here soon to start the cleanup. It might be for the best not to be here to witness it."
"Yes." Said the other, then he paused.
"Remus," he said "do you really believe there can be an end? Can we really find peace after so long?"
"Yes, George, I think we can." The man replied, and he said it with such conviction that the other knew it was the truth.
The end had finally begun, and soon the survivors would be free to live.
FIN