A/N: WOW! People really seem to be enjoying this story! I have 22 reviews, and 10 followers! Thank you so much for the encouraging reviews! Anyone who does review gets a virtual air-kiss, and a place in my Chapter of Fame! So with that tempting offer up for grabs, I'd best get started on Chapter 9 of No More...
BANG!
Silence.
Deafening cheers.
I glanced up at Ron. He looked at me, relief clearly visible on his handsome yet injured face. At that moment, I swore I would kiss every part of that face before I die (I've just about done it!). But right now, I wanted the two of us to be the first to congratulate the Chosen One on his defeat of the Dark Lord. As the bright sun rose over the grounds of Hogwarts, Ron and I broke free from the crowd - who were still gawking at Lord Voldemort lying on the floor, and Harry with the two wands in his hand - and charged towards our best friend.
We threw our arms around him, and I began to cry with joy, shouting congratulations. Ron began saying things like "Well done, mate" and "Bloody Hell, you had 'Mione scared back then!". Then others began to run forwards. Next to reach us were Ginny, Luna and Neville, who were followed by the rest of the Weasleys, Flitwick, McGonnagol, Hagrid, Sprout and Kingsley. Soon everyone was crowded in the middle of the Great Hall, trying to hug and touch a part of The Boy Who Lived. It was impossible to tell who was holding who, who was saying what, whether anything was actually relevant right now. But who cared? We were still in the happy delirium that follows a great success.
When others began to step away to find lost members of their families, I stepped back for a moment too. I looked at Harry, still looking shell-shocked, though clearly happy to have Ginny close to him. I thought for a moment, about the things that were sure to follow. Harry was now even more of a symbol now. He would have to speak and comfort friends and family of the dead, to hear the news of those who had been Imperiused all over the country coing back to normal. Someone would have to catch all the Death Eaters, who were fleeing. I could guess who. It would probably be the same person who had to free all of the innocent people who had been put in Azkaban, all the Siriuses who had been persecuted by Voldemort and his cronies. Kingsley came up to me, hugged me and said "You can relax now, he's gone."
"I know, but I still can't believe it! I've been petrified of this guy most of my life, he can't just be dead like that!"
"But he is, Hermione, and it's all over. You can either complete your seventh year along with Ginny, or you can just get a job straight away."
"Really? But I have no N.E.W.T.s!"
"Hermione, you just helped Harry Potter bring down the most evil dark wizard of all time! He killed and Imperiused 2 Ministers For Magic!"
"Who is Minister now?"
"Me!"
"Congratulations!"
"Thank you! I will leave you and Mr Weasley for now, but if you ever need me, just owl."
"I will, thank you, Kingsley!" As the tall man strode away, I added "And congratulations once again!"
"Out of the way, please! Corpse coming through!" came a voice from behind us. A small tufty haired wizard in dusty robes hurried past, wand drawn. "Levicorpus!"he shouted, pointing his wand at Voldemort. He cautiously levitated the dead Dark Lord out of the Great Hall, and into a separate chamber from those who had given their lives fighting them. McGonnagol replaced the house tables, though nobody was sitting according to house anymore. There were teachers and students, ghosts and parents, centaurs and house elves, all united as one in their grief for the dead. I spotted Mr and Mrs Weasley sat at the Gryffindor table, and gently pulled Ron over to them, murmuring to Harry that I would be back soon.
The Weasley family was a heart-wrenching sight to see. Ginny was resting her head on Mrs Weasley's shoulder, who out her arm around her daughter; Mr Weasley was holding his wife's hand; Percy was comforting a sobbing George; Bill hugged his sobbing wife; and Charlie reached out an arm to Ron.
"Come on, sit down. We need to deal with this together, not on our own" Charlie said, pulling his younger brother into a tight embrace at the same time. Ron said nothing. "You too, Hermione." I looked at Charlie, and shook my head.
"I can't, not yet. I'm going to help Madam Pomfrey with healing and helping the injured..."
"We're here if you need us, just remember that."
"I will Charlie. I will."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! It's a bit longer than the previous ones! I just remembered that I had previously had a question for you lot to answer. And the correct answer is... Through the pensieve and through the failed Occlumency lessons! Congratulations to GinnyWeasley5 and Singsalm! Please keep reading and reviewing! xxxxxx Doodley Starkid
