Chapter 2
Hours later Harry awoke in the dark dormitory, Ginny still sleeping quietly against him. When they came up to the common room that morning past a snoring Fat Lady who never woke for the password, they had found Neville and Luna sound asleep on a sofa near the fireplace and Bill and Fleur in other beds nearby, now empty. Ginny stirred when he moved and they smiled towards one another. "Better?" he asked her. "Much." she nodded. "A shower and I'll be ready to face…" as a shadow crossed her expression. "I'd forgotten for a bit. It's so hard to think that he's gone. I just can't imagine George without him." Harry looked over on the table by the bed and saw a pitcher of pumpkin juice and some biscuits waiting. "I know. Well, that's a start." He said. "We're going to need our strength. I can't believe we're done running and hiding." Ginny sat up and stretched. "After I've had a wash I'll want a kiss, but you're a mess. We should have bandaged you up downstairs.". Harry replied with a small smile, "I have everything I need. You sure I have to wait?" Ginny laughed. "There's a time and place for that, and the boy's dormitory isn't it, at least not today." "Off you go. Meet you in the common room in ten minutes. Make that twenty."
Nothing could have prepared Harry for the scene they met downstairs. As they approached the last landing he heard a low humming, like thousands of bees. When they turned the last corner it was clear what was causing the noise: hundreds of witches and wizards were gathered clustered in groups in the entry and the Great Hall, all talking over one another in excited tones. As he and Ginny approached, one group fell quiet, then another, then another until the hall was almost silent. Then one elderly witch near Harry began to clap and others took it up, the sound immediately mounting to a roar. As they passed through the crowd Harry saw faces of former Hogwarts students now out in the world, a few from the Ministry of Magic, but mostly people he had never seen before. They pounded him on the back, grabbed his hand to shake it, women kissed his cheek and men stood by with bright eyes, congratulating him with their smiles and cheers. "Who are all these people?" Harry whispered to Ginny. Minerva McGonagle appeared in the gap ahead of them. She reached for Harry and hugged him briskly. She spoke into his ear over the crowd: "Potter, I have to say that my faith failed me a few times in these last months, but you exceeded all our expectations. It's like one great curse was lifted from the land – the confounded are restored, and every witch or wizard who can fly or walk is making their way to Hogwarts – to grieve and to celebrate. I only hope they stay to help us repair all the damage to the castle."
Ron and Hermione made their way through the crowd to Harry and Ginny. "It's amazing, Harry! Nothing I read in "Hogwarts: A History" prepared me for this!" said Hermione excitedly. "The castle is repairing itself!" Professor McGonagle asked "What are you talking about, Miss Granger?". "It's the totems, Professor," Hermione replied. "All the stone warriors who you sent to defend the castle. They are reassembling themselves and helping to rebuild the walls!" Professor McGonagle replied "This I must see!" and swept off through the crowd.
Kingsley stepped up to the dais and asked for quiet. "I have a few announcements to make." He said. First, thank you all for coming to help. You can see that Hogwarts has been a scene of suffering and heroism, and our first task is to care for the injured and to bury our dead with honor. After speaking with the families, they wish to hold a memorial service to honor both the lost and the survivors tomorrow at sundown. Until then, we can use help caring for the hurt and restoring some order to the school. I have delegated responsibility for our relief efforts here to my new Secretary of Wizard Welfare and Well-Being, Molly Weasly. Please offer her whatever help you can – but if you aren't helping, please stay out of the way or prepare food and drink for the workers. We don't need any spectators today." Kinglsey continued, spying Rita Skeeter from the Daily Prophet arriving in the back of the hall. "Professors Flitwick and McGonagle are directing teams to clear away the debris and assess the damage to the building. I must return to the Ministry and try to restore some order there…and there's that horrid statuary in the Ministry lobby to destroy as well. Since the castle is so badly damaged, we are setting up a campsite on the west lawn. Those who are staying can pitch tents over there." Mr. Weasley leaned over to Ron and said "Kingsley needs her, and it will help her to concentrate on taking care of the others right now. When he ran the idea by me, I thought it might help keep her mind off other things. She'd mother every witch and wizard in the country if we'd let her – now he's officially made it her job." "Impressive, and scary." replied Ron. "It's perfect." chimed in Hermione with Ginny nodding. Harry asked "Where's George?" " He's off with Percy, of all people." replied Ron. "I think they found some firewhiskey, and I wouldn't bet on that bottle's chances."