I know It's been a long time since I last updated, I just got home today. I hope this chapter is worth the wait, I will try and get more out very soon. I appreciate all the story alerts, reviews and favs. I got a much better response than expected.
As with before I don't own any of the characters, anything you recognise is not mine.
Chapter two - Speech
The few hours until the memorial service moved quickly for Harry. He had been persuaded by Kingsley (with the help of Hermione and Ron nagging him) to make a speech at the service in front of the immense amount of people who had turned up and the press. But still, he had no idea what to say and he was sure that he would end up making a complete fool of himself. Kingsley had explained that the short memorial service would be held to honour the dead, before friends and family of those killed in the battle could hold more private funerals.
Most of the day had been spent with Harry sitting down at Gryphindor table next to Ron and Hermione, trying to work out what he should say. But it wasn't easy when strangers and friends alike were constantly interrupting him. Appearing every few seconds to thank or congratulate him.
'You'll be fine when you get up there Harry don't worry.' Hermione repeated for the hundredth time.
'Well, I've got a lot to say but I just don't know how to put it all into words.' He replied glumly.
'You'll be fine.' Ginny said smiling.
To Harry the worst thing about the aftermath of his victory was that he had no time to talk with Ginny. He thought everything would have worked out perfectly if he won and he and Ginny would go straight back to how they were last year. But after all he had put her through he wasn't sure everything would go as smoothly as that.
The hours past far too quickly for Harry. Soon enough people were filling out into the grounds where well over a thousand seats had been prepared with a small temporary platform at the front. As Harry was escorted to the platform he noticed some more familiar faces in the crowd.
Hagrid was there with his brother Grawp, smiling at him. He also saw Kreacher and some other house elves. To his surprise he also saw a group of centaurs, slightly separated from the crowd. It felt very similar to Dumbledore's funeral almost exactly a year beforehand.
The temporary minister for magic, Kingsley Shacklebot took to the platform and addressed the crowd.
'After such an event as yesterday there is both cause for celebration and mourning. However, first of all I would like to call upon Harry Potter, the hero who defeated Lord Voldemort to come forward and say a few words.'
Harry stepped forward, incredibly nervous. He felt the eyes of everyone on him. Even the centaurs were looking with great attention, but he was used to being the centre of attention and did not let it bother him.
'Witches, Wizards, Centuars, House-elves, Giants and Goblins fought alongside each other to bring about the defeat of the darkest wizard of all time. We wouldn't be here today celebrating his downfall without every single one of you who fought and died together.'
He paused, allowing them to take in what he had said and then continued,
'Many died to fight for better lives for their friends, family and loved ones. Let these lives not be lost in vain. Lessons can be learned from the battle of Hogwarts. Forget nonsense about blood purity and race, as we all stood united against Voldemort. Thank those who fought and died alongside you, whether pure blood, half blood, muggle born, or not human at all.
From now on we have decisions as a country to make. Voldemort is dead, but his warped ideals over blood and race superiority still linger. If the New World were to hold views like that a new dark wizard is likely to rise over similar ideals in the near future. We should recognise that a wide range of people died fighting for a better world. Let their wishes become true and help create a world free of discrimination. Let us all work together to create a world far better than before.'
Harry made another long pause, taking this chance to look closely on the reaction his speech was getting. His friends were beaming at him. Some wizards and witches seemed uncomfortable, especially Umbridge, who he noticed, had showed up. His surge of happiness from seeing her shifting uncomfortably was doubled when he saw that the house elves, and even centaurs and goblins were looking at him with something approaching respect. He decided to wrap things up.
'I would now like to hold a minute's silence for those who died for this opportunity. The opportunity to change the world for the better. I sincerely hope that their efforts will not go forgotten.'
The audience immediately obliged. He heard and saw people in the crowd crying, thinking of their dead. He felt a lot of guilt when he saw Ginny, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. Along with all the other Weasley's, she was devastated by Fred's death.
After the minute was up Harry handed over to the Minister, who openly agreed with Harry's views with a speech of his own. Harry sat down next to with Ron and Hermione on his left, Ginny on his right.
'I hope that speech wasn't too bad…I think I may have dragged on a bit.' he sighed.
'It was wonderful Harry' Hermione replied to him, beaming. 'People were really listening to you, and you used the chance to try and get people to accept other races, and I think it might have worked!'
'She's right, you were great.' Ron smiled.
Harry looked at his friends, they were both smiling at him. He turned and saw Ginny smiling at him also, tears still in her eyes. She was about to say something when Professor McGonogall interrupted them. Harry hadn't realised that the service had ended. People were moving away into groups, talking to friends. He even saw, with a surge of joy that some were thanking the centuars, house-elves and goblins like he had asked them to.
'Harry.' He had not noticed that McGonogall was now talking to him.
'Oh, sorry professor.'
'Could you, Hermione and Ron come up to my office, I think it's time you told me what you've been up to this past year. We can talk about your career options to, since none of you have got your NEWTs.'
'Crap! I forgot all about my NEWTs…'
'Me too.' Said Ron and Hermione together, there was a huge amount of worry in her eyes.
'Professor, I'd like to talk about our options but I want to explain about this year to the entire Order, and Ginny. I think they all deserve to know.'
'That can be arranged. OK Harry, since all of the Order are here or close by now we should do that first, would Grimmauld place be OK to use? My office isn't big enough.' She asked with a smile.
'Of course, could you get them to arrive for eight?' Harry had checked his watch, it was almost six now so that allowed him two hours to talk to Ginny, he hoped that would be long enough. Since he knew explaining about the Horcruxes would take a long time, he would not have time to explain afterwards until the next morning.
McGonogall agreed and set off to inform the rest of the Order. Harry turned to Ron and Hermione.
'Meet me at Grimmauld for the meeting, I'll need you two to help explain everything.' He then turned to Ginny, 'Could you come with me now, I'd like to talk to you before the meeting.'
Ginny managed a small smile and followed him out of the grounds, telling Ron to let their parents know where she was. Harry took Ginny's hand.
'I'll take you there by side-along-apparation.'
She nodded, so he turned on the spot and they disappeared with a pop.
I'd like to get some more reviews before I update. I was really pleased with the amount of alerts and favourites for the last chapter but it could've done with more reviews. I'm open to opinions on where I should go with this as the story is not completely worked out in my head yet so all ideas are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read this!