Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All rights go to respective owners.

Hope for the Hopeless

After those who had fallen had been recovered and buried, the rebuilding process had started. The professors had been informed by the new Ministry that classes were scheduled to start on time that September — something about "regaining normalcy."

Staring at the crumbling ruins of Hogwarts castle, Theo remembered thinking that was rubbish. How could a handful of professors, students, and volunteers rebuild all of that in a few short months?

When he had showed up on the first day of rebuilding, with nothing but his wand and a small pack of clothes, Professor McGonagall had seemed surprised. Nevertheless, she had scheduled him to begin repairing the Entrance Hall. Tentatively walking inside, he had suddenly found it difficult to breathe. His heart began to pound loudly in his chest. This was his fault; so much life had been lost. What if he had stepped out of the shadows — the ones he had long since called home — and had done something? What if he had stayed? What if—

Lost in his thoughts, Theo had almost run into Potter, Weasley, and Granger. Weasley had glared, while Potter had just nodded stiffly. Granger had been a surprise. She had just smiled softly and told him if he needed anything, to let her know.

Setting aside his pride — which had been so hard to do — he had thanked her and told her he would.

The weeks passed and days bled together. The Entrance Hall had taken a long time to finish — the actual charms and enchantments needed to rebuild stone walls had taken a while to get the hang of. His next assignment was the Charms corridor — which was were he was currently standing.

Staring at the dust and rubble, he thought there was no way he could fix this.

"Alright there, Mr. Nott?"

Theo flinched and looked down at the diminutive Charms professor. He hadn't expected anyone to come by for a while; there was so much to do and not enough people to make it happen, they tended to work alone.

"It's just Theo, Professor Flitwick," he replied.

It's always been just Theo, he thought. I've never been my father.

Flitwick nodded, searching his face as if to discover his motives. Apparently finding him worthy or something, he smiled up at him.

"I hope you don't mind the help, Theo," he said happily. "This has always been my domain, so to speak, and two wands are always better than one."

Theo glanced down the desolate corridor a second time. "I don't know if two wands will be enough," he muttered.

"Nonsense!" Flitwick said, banishing the dust and smaller rubble off the nearby ground. "After all, this is not the first time Hogwarts has had to be rebuilt."

"It's not?" he asked, surprise coloring his voice and features.

"No, although I'm not shocked you don't know," the professor replied. "After all, Professor Binns had always been a tad fixated on Goblins and rebellions."

The two shared a small chuckle.

"Start with that wall over there," Flitwick said, pointing at a nearby section of rubble, "and I'll tell you the story."

"Alright," he replied. He began casting charms, as the small professor continued to speak.

"It was not that long after the school had originally opened — maybe only fifteen years or so — when two powerful mages waged war against each other. Their chaotic and destructive battles knew no bounds, for Morgan le Fay did not value life and Merlin would do anything to protect it…"

Prompt (Scavenger Hunt — The Golden Snitch): 'Unfortunately, the Battle of Hogwarts had its toll on the castle. I wonder how it was rebuilt and when?'

Word count (not including title or author's notes): 580