Disclaimer – If I owned it, Neville's parents would have returned for the final battle.
He took a deep breath, gathering his courage. Focusing on the tall white pillar standing in the center of the Hogwarts grounds he slowly opened the gate and began walking.
"Come on, Neville," he whispered to himself, "It's just a monument. You can handle that. You've faced Lord Voldemort for heaven's sake! You survived growing up with Gran! Just walk by it. You can hardly expect to be a teacher if you can't face walking across the grounds."
He tried to look past, focusing on the castle, but as he got closer to the marble pillar it became impossible. He knew that the large white stone was etched with names and topped with a magical flame. He had, after all, been there when it was created. But he did not recall the base being surrounded with so much colorful clutter.
"What's this?" he mumbled stepping closer.
Hundreds of pieces of colored parchment fluttered around the memorial like butterflies. Neville caught a piece and opened it.
"Professor Lupin – my mum says she never would have had the courage to fight if she hadn't had you as a teacher. Thanks. Billy"
He smiled as the parchment fluttered away. Another came close and he grabbed it.
"Grandma says my father cried when he found out I was a metamorph – I guess that's because you went to school together and I reminded him of you. He says he still misses you Dora.
Alastor Weasley
PS – I'm going to be an auror, like you and my namesake"
Neville chuckled. Mad-eye Moody would be proud to know he had someone named after him. The next note made his breath catch in his throat.
"I never knew any of you – but I'm so very grateful to all of you. Professor Binns has been teaching us about the great wizarding war. If you hadn't had the courage to stand up and fight, I wouldn't be here; I'm a muggle-born. I'll never forget your sacrifice. Amy"
Blinking back tears, he finally looked at the pillar. Etched forever by Professor Flitwick the words seemed to glow.
"This memorial stands as a symbol to all that goodness and love will always overcome evil. These are the names of the brave souls who gave their lives in the ultimate sacrifice for freedom – we shall never forget them."
Neville felt the tears begin to fall down his cheeks as he saw the names of those he knew. So many of his classmates had died.
"Somehow I knew you'd stop here, Longbottom."
"Professor McGonagall," he wiped his eyes.
"You can call me Minerva, we are fellow teachers now, Neville." She smiled. "I am always amazed at how many students leave notes, even those who only recognize the names from history class spend time here."
"It was all worth it, then, wasn't it? Their sacrifices, everything we went through? It was all so they could be safe, so they could be free. It was all worth it."
