The Magical Worlds' Lost
Standing on the field of battle, the very front lawn of Hogwarts Castle itself stood all the defenders of the Castle. All were tired, dirty, hurt, bleeding. Some had fallen and had been taken to the castle by the House Elves, because they were the swiftest, being lead by Dobby and Winky. The faculty members tried to gather up their own Houses, taking head count, seeing just who was alive and who was hurt, and, well, just who didn't survive.
Dumbledore organized the entire faculty, got the prefects to take care of the rest of the students. He was very happy over the outcome, for the enemy never got to the front doors of the castle; in fact, they barely got through the shields, but for the small opening that was allowed in order to be able to handle the vast numbers of the hordes that had to be defeated. Pain and suffering were running rampant throughout the many Houses' defenders but with time and healing all would be right once again.
But, there was one lost that was not foreseen, not counted on, and that was Harry. Looking over at him was Hermione, holding him and crying her eyes out. And, there stood Ron, arms hanging down beside him, barely holding his wand, and tears streaming down his cheeks.
And Ginny, she was crying as if her life itself had ended, and for her, it had, or so it seemed.
All the Auror's were there from the Ministry, plus others who had volunteered to assist.
Dobby was there, beside Harry and Hermione. He never left Harry=s side. Not knowing what else to do, he just stayed there.
Arthur Weasley came up, along with Molly, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George. The entire Weasley family was there. Not a dry eye among them.
Arthur, bending down, putting his hand on Hermione's shoulder, gently, said. "I don't know what to say, Hermione, we are all hurting. If there's anything we can do for you, please ask. Harry was just like a son to us. We all loved him very much."
Turning her head, and looking up at the senior Weasley, Hermione said something that stunned him: AI came into this world to be with my son, I was promised I'd be with him, and Father kept his promise, but I didn't know Harry would be taken from me so quickly. I just don't know what to do, I just don't."
Hermione looked up at Ron, saying, "James, help me, please, help me!"
Arthur didn't know what to say, he'd thought that what with the battle, Hermione just lost it. Looking up at Molly, for some sort of support, maybe an answer, he just shook his head. The rest of the Weasley sons' didn't know what to think. They looked from Ron to their Dad. They knew that Ginny gave them a difficult time, at times, and their Mum, well, they ALL respected her and when she lost her temper and got really mad and hacked off at them, they could understand it, but THIS, - what did Hermione mean?
"Lily, my dearest, I'm right here with you. I hurt too. At least we were with him while he was here, in school, where he was happiest." Ron said this, and in doing so, brought about more questions from their family.
"Fred," George asked his twin, "do you know what she's talking about?"
"No, twin, I don't," Fred answered almost before George completed his question.
Dumbledore came up, "Take Miss Granger to see Poppy, and we'll take Harry up as well. It'd not be right to leave him here."
The Weasley men all levitated Harry's body up and slowly took him up to the Castle, followed by Molly and Ginny holding on to Hermione, who was standing between them for support.
All the rest of the students, from every house lined up towards the castle's front doors and took off their hats. Not a single one said a word, every eye was downcast, for they saw the sacrifice that Harry made, not just for saving Hermione's life, but also, for killing Voldemort.
Throughout the Castle hallways, they went, undisturbed by either the quick or the dead.
Finally, they made it to the Hospital Wing, met by Poppy.
"Put him here, in this bed," she said quietly, as Harry's body was levitated over to the bed and gently laid down. There, she covered him up. And tried, tried to tend to him, knowing already what her senses told her: Harry was gone.
Looking up at the Weasley's, tears streaming down her cheeks, she just couldn't say it.
"We understand, we all know." Arthur said softly, quietly.
They all quietly left the Hospital Wing, the rest of the students going to their various Towers where their Houses were.
"Come with me to my office," Dumbledore said and they all followed him, sadly.
As they were settling down in the Headmasters' office, Dumbledore sat down in his chair, steepling his fingers together in front of his face and resting his chin on the tips of his index fingers said," This is not what we expected, loosing Harry like this, but Voldemort has been defeated, his Army killed. I know you are all hurting and will, for quite some time. I'm only stating the obvious. Harry loved you, all of you. Molly, he looked up at you like you were his Mother, Arthur, he saw you as his father figure. I know he missed Sirius, his god father, and Professor Lupin, but he relied on you, ALL of you, and saw you as his family. Harry will never forget the love you all showed him.
"Professor, what did Hermione mean by what she said?" Ginny asked quietly
"Yes, Professor, and Ron, he called Hermione 'Lily'" said Bill, the oldest Weasley sibling.
"That, Miss Weasley, will be the saving grace for all of you." the wise old Headmaster answered, smiling and for the first time, a twinkle came back to his eyes.
That answer was totally unexpected by the entire clan. Here they were, hurting over the lost of one of their own family member, Harry, yet the Headmaster said, . . . . WHY?
"How can you say that this is our saving grace, Harry's dead!", Ron said rather suddenly, loudly and jumping up, angry, and tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Harry was my BROTHER! How can I let him go? HOW?", Ron yelled. Looking around, pacing, not knowing what to do.
"Ron, all I can say, that I'm allowed to say, right now, I've said. Just remember: All is not lost, and you, of all people, should know that. Besides, Harry is more than just a brother to you! When you were back there, on the field, looking down at Hermione holding Harry, you called her 'Lily'. You had a remembrance of things past, memories that are just now surfacing. Try to recall your memories, because by doing so it will answer many of your questions, and will ease the pain that is in your heart." Dumbledore said still smiling cryptically.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
Dumbledore looked at Hermione, instead, and to answer Ron's question, he got up and walked over to her, taking her hand in his and getting down on one knee, something that surprised the entire Weasley family, every single one, not just surprised them, but shocked them - all!
"Hermione, if I can call you that. You came into this world for a purpose. You have been given a job to do, before you came here, and up until now, it has not been revealed to you - completely, that is, until now. There have been times, in your life that some events, thoughts, feelings, have occurred to you that have not been explained, even by our magical world. But now, by what has happened to you, this day, on the field of battle, by what you just said, that we all heard you say, it has been revealed, opened to you, and I want, your Father wants, rather, you to complete this task. For this task that you are to fulfill will be the most important ever to happen in the Magical World."
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore, thank you ever so much." Hermione said to her elderly Headmaster, tears still streaming down her cheeks, but these were tears of joy, tears of gratitude, for now, now there was someone who understood her feelings.
Hermione reached up and for the first time, ever, that anyone could ever remember, in a very long time, gave the dear old Headmaster a hug and kissed him on the cheek.
Hermione was no longer alone.
"Oh, and one more thing, Miss Granger, try to bring Ron up to speed on your plans. In time, he will come around, his eyes will be opened and he will remember who he really is." Dumbledore said, looking around and seeing all eyes were upon him.
"Arthur, Molly, I know that this is quite a lot to understand, all of a sudden, but just remember: All is not lost." Dumbledore said this, smiling.
Dumbledore got up off his bended knee and walked towards his desk when he stopped and turned facing all the Weasley's while they were still getting up and proceeding towards the office door – Dumbledore spoke to Arthur: "Arthur, Not only is all not lost to your family, but, in fact, all that you've lost today you will regain, exactly as it was - with benefits!" Arthur stopped and was looking at Dumbledore, Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling, smiling. All the family had stopped moving, talking and heard each and every word that was said.
With this said, they all got up to leave. Talking amongst themselves, the Weasley family members all left by floo powder, going back to the Burrow.