There is nothing like vengeance to spoil the soul. There is nothing like forgiveness to make it again whole. There is nothing like terror to make the heart strong. There is nothing like mercy to weaken evil everlong. - unknown
Tomorrow may be my last day alive. I've known for some time that I don't have long left. This battle is rapidly approaching its end. I've been fighting in a war I didn't start since the day I was born and honestly, I'm tired enough for it to end. I've lost family, I've lost friends, and I've lost to much of myself to walk away from this even remotely resembling the boy I once was.
Tomorrow may be the last day I see my friends. Those glorious souls so brightly shining in what otherwise would have been a drab, dreary, and desolate existence. The best years of my life spent around a firelight wondering what new grand adventure we would be embarking on. Worrying about what skills I lacked and how best to protect them. And never once concerned that I might not get to hug either of them again. I've watched both of them grow in ways I couldn't have imagined. I've seen him become a man that anyone could be proud to call friend. I've watched her always formidable fierceness and already immense intellect grow by leaps and bounds. She will always be the best of us. I'm convinced any day now he is going to make his move. Any day now. I'm sure he won't get turned down. I've watched how she looks at him. They would make a wonderful couple now that they have both grown out of their immaturity. Maybe they would even have kids together. I hope with everything I have they get that chance.
I think about my teachers. Those brave souls that shaped who I became. How I tormented them, Especially McGonagall. I'm sure I'm responsible for more than a few of those gray hairs. She wears them with pride though, each one a representation of another young person led down the proper path. Another lost child given a home and a family. I love them all dearly.
And I think about the Weasleys. Molly and Arthur...my adopted parents. I would not have survived without them. Never could a better pair have happened into my life. I am forever grateful, I can die having know a true family. Knowing real love as more than just a memory. The closest I will ever come to a living family...but no! My family is large. They come from many different backgrounds and fill me with the strength to make this decision. Nevelle's courage, Luna's hope, Dumbledore's wisdom, Sirius' playfulness, my mothers love, my fathers devotion...are within me.
This is the difference between us you see? Years from now you may have found this letter and you may be hoping for some insight into this story beyond what the historians say. Let me tell you its quite simple. One glaring dissimilarity between we two. Voldemort is incapable of love. He will never have my strength. He will never be complete. He was beaten as soon as he started. Because without someone to fight for, we will never give our all. Without another to protect, we will eventually give up. Sirius once taught me that no matter who you are, if someone loves you legitimately, there is nothing you can't do with their support. I've lived through enough near death situations to know that's true. Voldemort will lose. Tomorrow. Because I am not alone. They are all here beside me. All my friends. I pity him. I can't imagine what a hollow and empty existence life would be like without friends. Truly Tom Riddle is a creature to receive both justice...and compassion.
Tomorrow there will be a battle. I don't have to sense what he is thinking to know that. Tomorrow the last of the horcruxes will be destroyed or I will be dead or most likely both. Tomorrow Lily and James' potter's son will fight Tom Riddle. Tomorrow will see victory for one, defeat for the other. I should be thinking about tomorrow… why can I only think of her?