Chapter 10

"Sonorus." Kingsley pointed his wand at his throat and, magically, his bass voice was amplified so that the whole room could hear what the Minister of Magic had to say.

"Thank you for coming today to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to grieve and celebrate as a wizarding family," Kingsley began. "The last three years have seen complete upheaval not only in our community, but in the Muggle world as well. We have seen loss and destruction, but we have also seen great courage and love. Friends helping friends, neighbours hiding neighbours, and our youth stepping up to fight alongside their elders to bring down, for the second time, the darkest wizard that has ever lived.

"Today, we lay to rest the family and loved ones that were killed trying to free us from that evil that held us in the grip of fear for far too long. Not only will we honour those who died right here at the last battle, but those who gave their lives in the last four years that have gone unpublished, unrecognized, or unexplained until today. We honour the deceased as well as their families in this most difficult time. We grieve with you as a community and offer our deepest condolences and help whenever you need it.

"The names of those we have lost will be read today by the new Headmistress of this school and each family will be presented a Medal of Honour in remembrance of the fallen soldier. There is also a memorial carved into the outside, east facing wall of the Great Hall and everyone is invited to visit it after the ceremony today.

"And now, Headmistress McGonagall," Kingsley muttered "quietus" as he walked back to his seat.

Minerva McGonagall moved to take the podium and at the same time, Professor Flitwick flicked his wand at the curtains which closed over the windows so that only a minimal amount of light could be seen through the sheer, black shades. The candles that always hung suspended over the room also dimmed.

"Good Morning. The lights have been dimmed not only to give the grieving families a bit of privacy, but also to show some photographs of those we lost in happier times. We hope that this is how you will remember these heroes."

She waved her wand a large screen materialised behind her and the first image was projected.

"Cedric Diggory was the first known casualty of this war." As she said his name, a picture of him at the Quidditch World Cup with his father appeared. "He was killed by Voldemort because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time." His parents stood and were handed a medal by a ministry official.

"Sirius Black." A picture that Ginny had taken of Sirius and Harry opening their gifts during the Christmas holidays appeared. Harry choked back a sob as well as most of the row who knew Sirius. The rest of the audience gasped in surprise. They had heard of his innocence, but still were uncertain. "Sirius was falsely imprisoned in Azkaban for 12 years for a horrendous crime that was committed by Peter Pettigrew, his friend. When he broke out of Azkaban, he joined the Order of the Phoenix and helped to protect his godson, Harry Potter, as fiercely as any parent would, while trying to stay cooped up in a hiding place for far too long. Peter Pettigrew was found by Ronald Weasley and confessed to his crime before rejoining his master, Voldemort, for the remainder of his life. Sirius Black remained a true and faithful friend until his untimely death at the Ministry of Magic in 1996. He was killed by Bellatrix Lestrange and will be forever missed by the ones who loved Snuffles best."

Harry stood. He was the only family that Sirius still spoke to when he died. Kingsley, himself, gave Harry Sirius' medal. Hermione was now sobbing into a handkerchief while Ron inconspicuously wiped his tears on his sleeve. Ginny wrapped her arm around Harry cried on his shoulder while he wept for the only father he had ever known. The group knew it was the beginning of a long, emotional ceremony.

"Bertha Jorkins was a Ministry employee that went missing in Albania. We now know she was tortured and killed for information about Harry Potter and the Ministry of Magic." There was a lovely picture of her at the Ministry. Her death had never been reported in the papers and was hushed up because the Minister at the time refused to link her death with Voldemort. Needless to say, there were whispers all over the room as people discussed her demise.

The names of Barty Crouch, Sr., Broderick Bode, Amelia Bones, Emmaline Vance, Florean Fortiscue, Hannah Abbot's mother, and Charity Burbage were called next and their medals were given out.

"Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody." A photo of Mad-Eye making an arrest was projected. He looked relatively happy, for Mad-Eye at least. It had to have been years old because his nose was still whole. "Moody was an exceptional Auror, but sadly fell to Voldemort last summer while doing what he did best- protecting and serving the wizarding community. There is no one to receive his medal today, so it will hang in a glass case at the Ministry alongside other fallen heroes.

"Bathilda Bagshot." A smattering of whispers from around the room indicated that not many people had realised what happened to her either. Her face shined down on them, the same as the back of their history books. "Ms. Bagshot was a brilliant witch who gave us many books on magical history. Most of you know her best from the textbooks we use here at Hogwarts, which are hers, of course. Not only was she a wonderful writer, but she was also a wonderful friend to the Order of the Phoenix and her neighbours in Godric's Hollow. Bathilda was likely killed by Voldemort in October of last year. She will be sorely missed in the academic world." Her family stood and were handed a medal.

Hermione's head was in a spin, there were so many names called. Witches, wizards and goblins were included and they were not even up to the ones who died at Hogwarts. She let her gaze drift over to Ron and then to Harry, both of whom seemed to be in a daze. They would hear a familiar name and perk up, but then would go back to staring at the floor. Hermione was noticing that where families were killed at different times, Professor McGonagall was waiting to call them all together.

"Dobby, the free elf." All of their heads popped up at the same time. No one expected to hear his name. "We have no photograph of Dobby to show today. Even though he looked like any other house elf, he had an exceptionally free spirit with a love for life and socks. He traded his life to save seven others only a month ago and will be grieved by all who knew him. His medal is being given to Harry Potter. Mr. Potter set Dobby free and cared for him more than anyone."

Harry stood for the second time to receive an unexpected medal. Hermione beamed at him. She was proud that they would give a medal to a house elf and even more proud when Harry handed the medal to her. "I think you should hang on to this. You always cared about him just as much as I did." She took it delicately and treasured it, thinking maybe the world was ready for S.P.E.W. after all.

"Fred Weasley." There was a loud sob from Molly as Fred's picture appeared. It was a photo of Fred and George at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. George was holding a Skiving Snackbox and laughing while Fred demonstrated the affects of the Puking Pastille. The audience chuckled as Fred ran off the right side of the photo and returned, looking quite green, to get the antidote. Once he had chewed it, he smiled at the camera and then the photo played it again.

Tears were streaming down each of the faces of the Weasley family. George was shaking in grief and Molly was trying to comfort him, but could hardly breathe herself. Arthur wrapped his arms around Molly and Percy put his arm around George. Harry and Hermione held their respective Weasley tight as McGonagall continued in a choked voice.

"Fred was a student of mine here at Hogwarts. He and his twin brother, George, made as much trouble as they possibly could while they were here, but what they may not have known is that, as much as the other students loved them, we teachers did, too. They may not have put effort into their school work, but they were immensely gifted wizards. At the end of a hard week, it was always nice to meet up with the other teachers and talk about the latest Weasley joke or prank. Fred was also one half of the greatest pair of Quidditch beaters that this school has ever seen. I was proud that he served the Gryffindor house, and his numerous detentions, with horour and dedication.

"After school, Fred Weasley went on to create a very successful business with his brother, putting all of that mischief to good use. Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes became not only a popular spot for students, but also provided the Ministry and the Order of the Phoenix, of which he was a member, with valuable supplies that helped defeat Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

"Fred was also deeply devoted to his family and friends. He was loyal and courageous and had an uncanny way of making everyone around him smile." She had to stop for a moment and gather herself before she continued. "Fred Weasley was killed here at Hogwarts during the final battle. He was defending the secret passages to the school when he was struck down. I am told that he died with a joke on his lips and a smile on his face, just as we all would like to remember him. He may have had only twenty years on Earth, but he will live in our hearts and memories forever."

Minerva McGonagall blew her nose rather loudly as she descended the step to give Molly and Arthur the Medal of Honour. She held onto Molly for a moment before she moved to George and said, "I know that half of you is missing and I hope that your heart mends soon. We miss you around here, Mr. Weasley." She gave him a pat on the arm before she ascended the stairs to resume her speeches.

There were sounds of sniffles from all around the Great Hall. It seemed everyone knew Fred and mourned him as a friend. The Weasleys were still calming down after the touching speech while there were about forty or so names called. They were students, parents, Ministry workers, Order members, and friends. They had been sitting in the Hall for so long that time was standing still. Hermione thought they had to be reaching the end soon when another very familiar name was called.

"Colin Creevey was a student here at Hogwarts who loved everyone he met. He was very good at his studies and loved photography. He always had his camera with him to document the good time he was having here at school. Last year he could not attend because of his blood status and I am not the only teacher to have missed his cheery smile. He showed his Gryffindor bravery by coming back here for the battle which ultimately became his end. He is dearly missed by his parents and brother, Dennis, to whom we present his medal today."

"Ted Tonks." There was a beautiful picture of Ted and Andromeda Tonks on holiday. "Ted was the husband of Andromeda Black Tonks and father of Nymphadora. He loved his family fiercely, but was forced to go on the run last year when his blood status was questioned. He helped the Order whenever he could, but was killed by snatchers while he was running for his life.

"Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks Lupin." A picture of Remus and Tonks with a very small Teddy was shown. "Remus Lupin was a wonderful Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher here at Hogwarts and an devoted member of the Order of the Phoenix where he met his wife Nymphadora Tonks, an exceptional Auror and member herself. Both of them shared a passion for righting injustice and dedicated their lives to eradicating evil and prejudice. They were also extremely gifted wizards with what looks to be a very gifted child." In the picture, Teddy's hair and eyebrows were changing color. There was chuckling in the crown watching the beautiful baby boy. "Remus and Tonks loved and worked intensely and came here to defend us all against the evil threatening our school. They both died here trying to make a better world for their son, Teddy. Their medals, as well as Ted Tonks' go to Andromeda Tonks and Teddy Tonks Lupin. They have lost more in this war than anyone else."

Andromeda held a sleeping Teddy and received the medals with a stoic expression. Harry leaned over to Ron and Hermione, "Remind me to go over there soon and check on my godson."

"Finally, Severus Snape." Muttering was heard in every part of the room as a photo of Snape from a potion class was shown. Some had heard that he was not what he seemed to be, but most of the crowd only knew him as the heartless, tyrant Headmaster and Number One Death Eater.

"There was only one person in the whole world who knew Severus Snape for who he really was- Albus Dumbledore. Those who knew him as a boy know that Severus was interested in the dark arts, but many do not know that he was also interested in a young girl, Lily Evans. Lily and Severus were the best of friends, a friendship that continued through their early years at Hogwarts. Only after Severus showed his true Slytherin colors, did Lily and Severus part ways. Lily married James Potter and Severus joined the Death Eaters.

"That he loved Lily Evans was a secret that he held until his last breath. The only person that ever learned the best part of him kept it a secret at his request. Dumbledore always said that he trusted Severus Snape while the rest of us saw a double agent who was so good, that no one knew who he was double crossing. It's hard to imagine the hard man we all knew, weeping at Albus' feet because Lily had been killed by the man he served. From that day on, Severus Snape played his part as a Death Eater, all the while plotting with Dumbledore to destroy the villain that slaughtered his heart.

"The question still remains- why would he kill Albus Dumbledore? In actuality, the question should be- why did Albus ask him to?

"Unbeknown to us, the Headmaster was already dying from a dark curse that was barely contained in his hand. He also, that very night, ingested a potion that was killing him from the inside out. He had only a few days left on this earth. On top of all of this, a student's family was being threatened if he didn't kill Dumbledore. Albus never wanted the student to be put in that position, no matter who he was. Therefore, Albus Dumbledore asked Severus Snape to kill him to spare the child and himself from days of agony before he was finished off.

"His year as Headmaster of Hogwarts was rocky to say the least, but we have discovered that all the while Severus was here, he was helping Harry Potter on his quest to destroy our enemy. Harry had no idea who was behind the help until Severus bequeathed his memories to him as he lay dying. He was killed because he got in the way of Voldemort trying to possess what is now known as the Elder Wand, or Wand of Destiny. If he had lived, we would have probably known a new person after Voldemort's fall, but sadly, all we have are memories of a man we loved to hate that was only doing his best to make this world a better place. Severus Snape's medal will hang in the Headmaster's office in memory of our second fallen leader in as many years."

There was a hush over the room as Professor McGonagall waved her wand at the giant screen and it disappeared. Flitwick opened the curtains and brightened the candles. People shifted in their seats realizing how long they had been sitting. It had been about an hour and a half of intense grieving. Hermione felt physically exhausted and she knew there was more to come.

Kingsley returned to the podium and the crowd settled down. "Before we give out the next round of medals, we will take a half hour respite. There are snacks and beverages outside on the grounds for everyone and while you're out there, be sure to stop by the lovely memorial."

I am breaking here because this chapter is already super long. I'll update in the next few days with the rest of the Hogwarts visit.

As always, THANK YOU for those of you who review! I really appreciate your kind words. Feel free to leave the unkind ones if I deserve it, too.

The Magic of the Night- Thanks for correcting my mistake! I had "Teddy Tonks" instead of "Teddy Tonks Lupin."