At a memorial service for the fallen, Hermione gives words of comfort. Review?
2. Grief
"Harry?" Harry was in the grounds, hands in pockets, when Hermione approached him.
He turned to her and attempted a smile.
"Are you okay?"
"I- I'm fine."
She breathed in. "The service was wonderful, wasn't it? A brilliant commemoration. They're about to unveil the statue… I think they want you to do it."
"Oh."
There was a pause in which Hermione contemplated how far she could push him.
"It isn't your fault, you know."
Harry nodded, clearly not believing her.
"All the people that died- they died fighting, you know. They anticipated what would happen- it was unavoidable. But they still fought. They still tried to help, Harry- you can't forget that."
Harry nodded again.
Hermione sighed. "You think it's all your fault, don't you? And then of course, that must therefore mean that your grief is greater than anyone else's."
"Yeah, Hermione, I do. There's no need to be sarcastic about it. I never said that my grief was greater than anyone else's- just that I've caused this grief. I feel guilt more than grief, Hermione."
"I wasn't being sarcastic. I truly understand, Harry, I do- but you're wrong, you know."
Harry snorted.
"You think that you killed Fred and the rest then, do you? You think that you picked up your wand and killed them with the killing curse?"
"Of course I don't! But if I hadn't existed- none of this would have happened."
"If you hadn't existed, more would have happened, because Neville would have been in your place."
"Fine. If I had got killed when he tried to, all those years ago, then none of this would have happened."
"There'd have been a great many more deaths if you hadn't killed Voldemort, Harry."
"Are you always so- optimistic?"
"I'm just trying to make you realise that none of this is your fault. You helped stop it. Without you, I might be dead now. Ginny or Ron might be dead."
"Don't say that."
"It could have been us, Harry. It was inevitable- people die in wars. It isn't your fault, I promise you. Harry- you're a hero. Without you- we'd be under Voldemort's rule now."
Harry looked at her and saw her eyes were watery.
"Please, Harry. Try and see that you didn't cause this, he did. You're the good part of the equation." She wiped away a tear that had betrayed her with her thumb. "Please. Come back up to the castle. We need you in there."
"I- I can't face all this grief."
"Then try and help the rest of us. I'm just not thinking about it- I'm concentrating on helping others now. I've got years to grieve, to feel the pain- it shouldn't necessarily all be now. You're strong enough to do this, Harry. Come on." She took his hand, a gesture that touched him greatly. He looked down at their hands, linked together, a tear rolling down his cheek.
"Come on," she said softly. "Let's help."
Hermione and Harry came into the Great Hall where the memorial service was being held for the fallen. The grieving families were stood facing a sombre looking Kingsley in front of a veiled statue. He was talking, but Harry couldn't hear the words. Harry slipped in between a sobbing Ginny and Ron. He took Ginny's hand, and saw Hermione do the same with Ron.
Harry looked up at Kingsley, who was still talking. He beckoned to Harry.
"Harry," Hermione hissed- "Kingsley wants you up there."
Harry felt numb as he walked forwards. He tried to listen to what Kingsley was saying.
"- and here we have Harry Potter, whom has kindly consented to revealing the memorial statue. Let us thank Harry Potter- the saviour of Wizardkind."
Harry pulled down the veil covering the statue, revealing the lists of names around the base. The statue was of a phoenix rising from the flames. The inscription read, "To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure."
Harry realised, as he read this; that they could get through this, the horrible period of their lives when robbed of their loved ones. They could get through it in the solidarity of their friends, the dreams of a happy future, and the memories of lost ones that would last a lifetime.