~ Contains spoilers ~
This is the end. I'm sure of it. As I look at the blood that trickles down my hand, I think of how he was everything, the spark to the war. That spark is dead. Fury rises through me and I scream, scream in grief, scream for him, scream for us, for what lies ahead. My body feels numb as I push my way to the front of the crowd of wizards. These people are my friends, my family, everything. I limp to the middle of the almost demolished courtyard. I try not to face my enemies ahead as I attempt to straighten up. Then I catch a glimpse of him, he who did this to all of us, he whose name sent fear through our minds. His steel black eyes meet with mine, a triumphant grin flashing across that wicked, pale face.
"Who might you be?" His voice rang loud and clear across the courtyard.
"Neville...Neville Longbottom.." I must not be scared of him, I cannot show my fear.
A chorus of laughter echoes through the group of my bitter enemies. I lose my determination when I hear screams of agony and grief from behind me. Then I see her face. The woman who left me an orphan, the woman who killed my parents. Bellatrix Lestrange. Once again, the anger boils away inside me, it keeps me focussed, determined to go down fighting.
" Well…. I'm sure we have room for you on our side… Neville.." He pauses, and I can see him stifling a laugh.
" I'd like to say something!" I snap. Frustration, grief, anger. It's all too much for me to take.
Harry Potter is dead. Thousands of other people have died at the hands of Voldemort.
He's a killer. Whether Harry's dead or alive, we'll keep fighting against him, to find peace, safety, a world free of ruthless murder. We have to fight.
"It doesn't matter that Harry's gone."
I hear people behind me mutter that I'm wrong. I ignore them.
"People die every day!" I try to block out the noise behind me. "Friends...family" " We lost Harry tonight." I stare at the floor. He'll never be back to fight for what's right. But we have to stand strong.
"He's not with us…" I want to scream and let the overwhelming grief out as I say this out loud, facing reality. "But he's here!" I clutch my chest. "They all are! Remus, Tonks….many more…"
It hurts me to remember them, to remember their pain. They died for us.
"They didn't die in vain!" As I say this I turn to see Voldemort's triumphant face. "But you will!"
I almost scream at him, but I can't lose it, not now.
"Because you're wrong!" I block out the noise of his laughter. " Harry's heart did beat for us! For all of us!" I can't help but shout this, the burning anger inside me more powerful than ever.
I remember the battered Sorting Hat in my hand. Reaching inside it I grab what feels like a handle. A handle to the sword of Gryffindor. This is my moment. This is my time. I wrench the sword out of the hat and jump back into a crouch, the sword in front of me. I'm ready. Ready to face whatever's coming. Out of the corner of my eye I spot Hagrid struggling to carry Harry's dead body. But when I focus on him closer, I realize it's Harry who is wrestling out of Hagrid's arms!
Confusion races through me as I realize he's alive. But it can't be possible.
He drops from Hagrid's arms and fires at Lord Voldemort. I feel like crying with joy when I see Voldemort's shocked face, when I see Harry, alive! Shocked but joyful gasps erupt from behind me. The spark. The spark has come back to life.