A/N: So with today being Remembrance Day, I decided to write this story about the One Year Anniversary ceremony of the end of the Second Wizarding War. We should always use this day to remember those who lost their lives in war, lost their sanity in war and those who suffered physical injuries as a result of war. But most importantly, we should reflect upon the lessons of the conflicts that we commemorate to ensure that we can learn from them to prevent a future conflict and more lives lost. Lest We Forget.
It was a year to the day of Voldemort's defeat. Harry was in his dress robes and met Ginny, Ron, Hermione and the rest of the Weasleys, along with Hermione's parents, at the Burrow. He was now living with Kreacher at Grimmauld Place. In the wake of the war and Voldemort's defeat, the Wizengamot had designated this day Commemoration Day as a way to mark Voldemort's defeat, but also to recognise and remember what it had cost to defeat Voldemort. Today was the first annual ceremony marking the day to be held at the place where the war ended – the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
It was also the day that the Minister was to present all those who fought in the ultimate battle with their Order of Merlin's First Class which the Wizengamot had been quick to award following its reconstitution and cleaning out of the Death Eater's influence. As a result, Kreacher was accompanying Harry on his trip to Hogwarts to receive his award for leading the House-elves in the battle. As the wizard responsible for ultimately ending the war, Harry was to make a speech. Ron and Hermione, as the two people who were with him for the preceding year hunting the horcruxes to make Voldemort mortal again, and make the final result of the battle possible, were to stand beside him. They were to be honoured above all others.
None of them were happy about this, but particularly Harry. They all believed that they were no more deserving of honour, or singling out for special praise, than anyone receiving awards that day. But they had no say in how the ceremony was to be run. Harry did put his foot down to Kingsley though on one matter. Initial plans were that there was to be a "Freedom Ball" to celebrate the freedom that had been gained from Voldemort's defeat, but Harry had been very strong in his assertion that there was nothing to celebrate out of the war. Not when so many of their friends would not be able to celebrate the freedom they enjoyed with them. Harry, Hermione and Ron had been adamant that if that was the way the day was marked, then they would not attend. As the trio were the main three people being honoured, the Ministry had caved and scrapped that idea.
"Are we ready to go?" Harry asked. Everyone nodded and they apparated to Hogsmeade outside the gates to Hogwarts.
"I will never get used to that." Mr. Granger said, looking green.
"I know it isn't pleasant Dad." Hermione said to her father.
"I don't know if I'll be able to do this. Come back here after everything that happened here." George said. Molly took his hand.
"Fred will be with us dear. He'll give us the strength," she said. They walked through the grounds. Ron suddenly shivered.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"It's not the same this place. Everywhere I look I remember events of the battle. Over there, we saw that Death Eater kill that student, and over there, we saw the Death Eater torture Remus." Ron said.
"I know. It all feels different. This used to be home for me. My only home. But it feels like a completely different place now," said Harry.
"All I can think of is that this is the place I lost the other half of me," George said.
They were nearing the Entrance Hall. Harry tried to stop the flashback, but it was useless. He, like Ron, shivered. "What is it Harry?" Hermione asked.
"That's where I saw Neville and Oliver Wood carrying Colin Creevey's body back up to the castle, and over there was where I saw Ginny tending to an injured girl whispering for her mother and saying she didn't want to fight anymore." Harry shivered again, closed his eyes, and shook his head. Trying to rid himself of the mental image. He felt arms wrap around him. He opened his eyes to see Ginny, tears in her eyes.
"Come on. Let's move on from here." Arthur said. They moved into the Entrance Hall. It was Hermione's turn to shiver. Her mum put her arms around her.
"What is it dear?" Mrs. Granger asked.
"No matter how many times I walk in here since the battle, I can't get the image of Greyback, a werewolf, savaging Lavender, one of my friends, out of my head." Ron nodded his agreement. She added her explanation as to who Greyback and Lavender were for her mother's benefit.
They walked into the Great Hall to see it decorated in black. There was a black carpet running down the centre of the room with rows of seats on either side. Up where the staff table usually was, there was a raised platform with a lectern. As they entered, a wizarding remembrance hymn was playing. They separated and took their allocated seats. The Weasleys and Grangers on the left side of the room four rows back in the middle. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny (as Harry's partner) were on the right side next to the aisle in the front row with the VIPs. Kreacher went and sat with the Hogwarts house-elves. As they headed to their seats, they earned looks from those they passed – Hermione and Ron earning just as many looks as Harry (given they were almost as famous as Harry nowadays). They waved and nodded to those they recognised.
Once everyone was seated, Kingsley took to the podium.
"Welcome everyone. Today we celebrate the freedom that we gained on this day one year ago with the defeat of Lord Voldemort in this very hall at the hands of Harry Potter. We honour those who fought to attain that freedom. But at the same time, we also acknowledge and reflect upon the cost of that freedom. Many faces and friends that should be here today lost their lives in the fight to defeat Lord Voldemort. It is because of their sacrifice that we enjoy the freedom from tyranny that we do today." Kingsley paused.
"Today is not about me as Minister, today is about honouring those who put it all on the line for both our world, and the muggles who Lord Voldemort targeted. So I shall ask those who are receiving the Order of Merlin First Class today to line up at the side of the stage." Kingsley finished. "I'd like to welcome Madam Marchbanks, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot to present the Order of Merlin First Class to those recipients we honour today:
Aberforth Dumbledore
Neville Longbottom
Seamus Finnigan
Parvati Patil
Padma Patil
Terry Boot
Ernie Macmillan
Anthony Goldstein
Michael Corner
Luna Lovegood
Dean Thomas
Ginny Weasley
George Weasley
Lee Jordan
Cho Chang
Minerva McGonagall
Filius Flitwick
Pomona Sprout
Horace Slughorn
Argus Filch
Peeves
Oliver Wood
Katie Bell
Angelina Johnson
Alicia Spinnet
Bill Weasley
Fleur Weasley
Arthur Weasley
Molly Weasley
Percy Weasley
Firenze
Rubeus Hagrid
Grawp, who's award will be accepted by Rubeus Hagrid on his behalf.
Hannah Abbott
Augusta Longbottom
Sybill Trelawney
Charlie Weasley"
Kingsley then went on to present Order of Merlin's to the rest of the Hogwarts staff, Buckbeak (which was accepted by Hagrid), the centaurs that fought in the battle, the Hogwarts house-elves (including Kreacher), all the rest of the students and Hogsmeade residents who fought in the battle and survived.
"Now, unfortunately, not everyone who should be here to be honoured is here to be honoured. There were many great witches and wizards who lost their lives in fighting Voldemort. Too many. Therefore, I present these Order of Merlin's First Class posthumously to these brave individuals who laid down their lives for the freedom we enjoy today:
Lavender Brown – to be accepted by her mother and father.
Fred Weasley – to be accepted by his brother George.
Severus Snape – to be accepted by Minerva McGonagall and this award will remain within the Headmistress's study.
Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks – to be accepted by Tonks's mother Andromeda.
Colin Creevey – to be accepted by Colin's mother and father."
In addition to those he read out, he went on to name 30 more students, Hogsmeade residents and House-elves (the House-elves Order of Merlin was to be placed on display in the Kitchens) who had perished in the battle. As each name was read out, the person receiving it, or the people receiving it on their behalf proceeded to the stage and shook hands with Madam Marchbanks.
"Finally, there are twenty brave souls who laid down their lives who could not be identified." He waved his wand and a shrine sprung up on the left side of the room behind the staff table. It had the words: The sacrifice of the 20 brave souls who perished in the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998 who could not be identified will never be forgotten. They are the reason Hogwarts continues to exist.
"This shrine will serve as a lasting memory to their sacrifice. An Order of Merlin First Class shall be placed on the shrine in honour of them. I invite the Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall to step forward to receive the Order of Merlin on their behalf and place it upon the shrine." McGonagall did as prompted.
"There are still three people left to honour today. Without these three people, the war would not be over. Without these three people and their actions, there would be no possibility of Lord Voldemort being defeated. It is impossible to understate the importance of the actions of these three people to the final victory and the achievement of the peace we enjoy today. The Wizarding World owes them a great deal. It is my pleasure to present the Order of Merlin First Class to Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. After the presentation of the medals, I invite Mr. Potter to give an address."
Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to the stage and shook hands with Madam Marchbanks and Kingsley. They then made their way to the lectern that Harry had watched Dumbledore give so many start of term and end of term addresses at. It was the same lectern that he stood at while presiding over Cedric Diggory's memorial. Hermione was standing over Harry right shoulder, while Ron was standing over his left. Once the applause had died down, the loudest and longest applause of the entire ceremony, Harry took a deep breath before beginning.
"Thank you for the kind words Minister. I'd like to acknowledge all those here today. But more importantly I want to acknowledge all those not here today who should be. The Minister has already mentioned some of those people in awarding the Order of Merlins. But there are people who died fighting Voldemort who aren't being honoured here today. People like Cedric Diggory – a student of this school who died because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A student who was kind, loyal and brave. He was killed by Peter Pettigrew, the man who betrayed my parents, on Lord Voldemort's orders. We jointly touched the Triwizard Cup which one of Voldemort's followers had turned into a portkey as part of a plan to lure me to a graveyard for the purposes of Lord Voldemort's resurrection. His death marked the beginning of the most recent war. He should be honoured today, but he is not.
There are others who should be honoured and remembered for their sacrifice in the fight against Voldemort. Sirius Black, who was falsely accused and sent to Azkaban for 12 years without a trial for betraying my parents to Voldemort and murdering 13 people. He was killed by Bellatrix Lestrange trying to prevent Voldemort from procuring a prophecy from the Department of Mysteries. He should be honoured today, but he's not. Amelia Bones – the former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She was murdered by Voldemort because she was a threat to his plans to take over the Ministry. Rufus Scrimgeour who was murdered so Voldemort could take over the Ministry. Alastor Moody who died while I was being transported from my Aunt and Uncle's house to my safe house prior to Ron, Hermione and myself setting off to find and destroy the horcruxes. Albus Dumbledore who fought against Voldemort from day one of Voldemort appearing on the scene. Regulus Black who discovered Voldemort's horcrux secret and died while retrieving the locket. These people should be honoured today, but they are not.
The countless muggles murdered by Voldemort should be recognised – individuals who did not know about the magical world but was significantly affected by it. Muggles like Frank Bryce, the Riddle mansion caretaker, who had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
There is another individual who should be honoured today but is not. He died fighting the Death Eaters, but he didn't die fighting in the final battle. He died saving myself, Hermione, Ron, Dean, Luna and Griphook the goblin from Malfoy Manor where the Death Eaters had their headquarters. I am talking about the House-Elf called Dobby. He was a free elf. He was kind and brave. The three of us standing here now in front of you would not be here if it wasn't for Dobby.
Let's not use this day to only remember those who fought in the final battle. Let's use this day to remember everyone who died in the fight against Voldemort over two wars. You may say Minister that the wizarding world owes Hermione, Ron and myself a great deal, but the truth is, our contribution was no more significant or worthy of praise than those honoured here today and those I have just mentioned. Without the people who are being honoured alongside us fighting to keep Voldemort and the Death Eaters at bay here at Hogwarts, we would not have been able to find and destroy the final horcruxes to make Voldemort mortal again. Without Neville Longbottom killing Voldemort's snake, his last horcrux, Voldemort would not have been mortal again. Neville is just as worthy of the high praise that has been showered upon Ron, Hermione and myself.
Without the sacrifice of Colin Creevey, a young man who was not of age and came back to fight despite being told to evacuate, we would not have been able to find and destroy the final horcruxes. He is just as worthy of the high praise we have received, if not more. He had the opportunity to get to safety and should have as he was underage, but like a true, brave Gryffindor, he sneaked back against instructions to fight against oppression and injustice.
So, while Ron, Hermione and I appreciate the honours and praise bestowed upon us, let's not diminish and understate the importance of the contributions of others being honoured here today and those who laid down their lives in the fight against Voldemort.
It's important that I mention those who did not fight against Voldemort, however, will be forever affected by Voldemort, even long after he has gone. I speak of course of children like my godson Teddy Lupin who, like myself, will never know their mother and father because they were killed by Voldemort and his followers. Teddy is lucky that unlike me, he has a loving family around him to nurture him.
In our loss, it is important that we reflect upon why we were fighting Voldemort and the conditions which led to his rise to power. Voldemort and I did not agree on much, however, there was one thing that he said during the final battle that I did agree with. When he thought he had successfully killed me and had won, he said 'there must be no more war'. He was right. There must be no more war. After two wars, we have to understand why we have been through these two wars and change to prevent a third war. Voldemort did not rise on his own, there were underlying attitudes in society that led followers to his pure-blood supremacist ideology. There were underlying attitudes in society which led to the formation of the Muggle-born Registration Commission. These attitudes must change to prevent a third war. Something that Albus Dumbledore said after Voldemort returned that has always stuck with me is "it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be". We need to start to talk to each other and judge each other on our character rather than on the status of blood. If we do not, then it's only a matter of time before we are here again, lamenting the loss of more brave people.
I would lastly like to present an Order of Merlin of my own. Minister Shacklebolt, you may be the Minister, however, you fought in the final battle as well, and took on Voldemort himself, and you deserve to be honoured like everyone else here today. So please accept your Order of Merlin First Class from Madam Marchbanks." Kingsley did so. "Let us always remember what happened here on the 2nd May 1998 and why it happened. Let us remember all the brave people who fought in that battle and all the brave people who lost their lives. Let us never see a repeat of it. Thank you."
Harry, Ron and Hermione proceeded to their seats while they received a standing ovation from the crowd of people present. Kingsley returned to the podium and quietened the crowd.
"Thank you, Mr. Potter. They are wise words. I will now hand over to Headmistress Minerva McGonagall to make an announcement." Kingsley said.
"Thank you Minister. I am announcing today that throughout the school, plaques will be placed at points relevant to the student and individual, of those who fought in the battle and lost their lives. This will ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten by those who walk these halls. In addition to this, this shrine will ensure that everyone who eats in this hall will know the names of those who made this possible." McGonagall waved her wand, and a shrine was erected on the right side of the hall behind the staff table. It had the names of all those who had died in the battle and at the bottom it had the words: We Will Remember.
McGonagall sat down and Kingsley returned to the podium. "Thank you, Professor McGonagall. Could I ask everyone to please stand for a moment's silence to honour those lost." Everyone in the hall stood. In that moment, Harry thought of his parents, Fred, Remus, Tonks, Sirius, Moody, Dumbledore, Colin, Lavender, Snape, Dobby and Cedric. When the moment's silence was over, Kingsley asked them all to sit.
"Thank you. That concludes today's ceremony. Let us go forth from this place today heeding the words of Mr. Potter. Let us see each other and judge each other on the content of our characters, rather than on the status of our blood. Let us talk to each other and hear each other's different perspectives. Let's remember those we have honoured here today by not making the same mistakes that led to the last two wars. Let us learn from the mistakes of the past and build a better future.
In that vein, I acknowledge that there are the muggle families of the half-blood and muggle-born students here today, including Miss Granger's parents. To end the ceremony today, as you leave the hall, a muggle hymn called Abide With Me shall play. This shall honour those muggles like Frank Bryce who as Mr. Potter rightly says were so terribly affected by the war in a world they know nothing about. It will also represent the bridges of understanding we must build among each other and the new world that we must build together to prevent a third war. I thank Miss Granger and her parents Mr. and Mrs. Granger for helping to select the hymn.
Please stand while the VIPs file out." Kingsley returned to stand at his seat in the front row as Abide With Me began to play. He led the way out of the hall.
As the front row began to empty and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny began to file out after the members of the Wizengamot, Harry leaned into Hermione and grumbled, "so much for us not being anymore important today than anyone else. This is exactly what I was talking about needing to learn from our mistakes. No one is more important, or better, than anyone else." Hermione nodded her agreement.
They met up with the rest of the Weasleys and the two Grangers outside the hall. As they turned to leave through the oak front doors to make their way to Hogsmeade to disapparate home, they heard McGonagall calling them. She came over.
"Do all of you have a moment? I wish to show you something." McGonagall said. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hermione's parents, Arthur, Molly, Ginny, Percy, Charlie, George and Bill followed Professor McGonagall up the marble staircase. They made their way all the way to the 7th floor and stopped in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Look down." McGonagall said.
They all looked down to the floor below the Fat Lady's portrait to see a plaque with a small photograph of Fred's smiling face with the words:
Fred Weasley
1 April 1978 – 2 May 1998
'Where's the fun without a bit of risk?'
Now causing mayhem in heaven as a member of the
Marauder's in heaven and forever causing mayhem in our hearts.
As they looked at the plaque that would forever memorialise Fred for every Gryffindor student entering the common room, Harry found himself smiling with his arms around Ginny who had tears in her eyes. "Do you think the mention of the Marauder's is a bit much?" McGonagall asked with a bit of trepidation.
"No, I think it's perfect. Fred, George and Lee were our generation's Marauder's, and I reckon Dad, Sirius and Remus would welcome Fred with open arms." Harry said.
"Thank you, Minerva." Arthur said. McGonagall smiled and nodded.
"Professor-" George started, but couldn't continue for the tears. McGonagall understood.
"It's no problem Mr. Weasley," she said smiling.
With that, the group turned to leave. Before leaving, Molly bent down and placed a kiss on the plaque. "Love you forever my sweet boy."
"Professor?" Harry asked McGonagall.
"Yes Potter?" McGonagall replied.
"Would we be able to take the floo network via your office? I'd prefer not to have to walk through the grounds if possible. Coming up was bad enough. Too many bad memories." He replied. McGonagall nodded in understanding.
"Of course, Potter. Come this way." She led the group to the Headmistress's study.
"What's the floo network?" Mr. Granger asked.
"A way for witches and wizards to travel via the fireplaces." Hermione replied in answer to her father.
"Fair warning Mr. and Mrs. Granger. It's not the most pleasant until you get used to it." Harry said.
"Surely it can't be worse than apparition." Mrs. Granger said.
"Well, no it's not." Harry conceded.
They arrived at the Headmistress's office and entered.
"Here's your Order of Merlin Severus." Minerva said to Snape's portrait, holding up the Order of Merlin and showing it to the portrait.
"Just what you always wanted Severus." Dumbledore's portrait said.
"Oh goodie." Snape said sarcastically.
"Now Severus, don't think I forget your reaction to losing the Order of Merlin Second Class following Sirius's Black's escape, and this is a First-Class medal." Dumbledore said.
"You know perfectly well Dumbledore why I was upset at Black's escape, and it wasn't losing the Order of Merlin," Snape replied annoyed. "Thank you for receiving it Minerva. I hope you passed on my thanks."
"I did Severus." McGonagall replied. McGonagall turned to the group in her office. "Now, I must ask – I know Miss Granger and Miss Weasley have been seeing a mind-healer through the hospital wing here at Hogwarts, and Miss Granger has been seeing a squib who practices as a muggle psychologist in the holidays. Are the rest of you receiving the required support you need for your mental health following the war?"
They all nodded. "Yes Professor. Ron and I are having regular appointments at St. Mungo's paid for by the Ministry. I really wish they had made more money available in the fund to cover everyone's support needs rather than just us three supposed heroes. It's alright to honour everyone like we did today, but a medal isn't going to do much good for the battle scars." Harry said.
"I know Potter, but you three have been put on a pedestal. The Ministry has elevated you because without you three, the war doesn't end." McGonagall said.
"Yes. But without you and Kingsley organising the defence of the castle, and those that fought, we don't have the opportunity to find the final horcrux we needed to find. Without Neville killing Nagini, Voldemort isn't mortal again. Why isn't the Ministry paying for Neville's support? Why not yours?" Harry said fiercely.
"I know Potter. You're preaching to the converted here. I agree with you. But sadly, that's the way it is." McGonagall said.
"We send them, we bend them, but we don't mend them." Mr. Granger said. Everyone looked at him. "Just a muggle saying that we have for when our politicians send soldiers to war and don't provide the necessary mental health support when they return. Believe me, the politicians in our world are the same as those in the wizarding world when it comes to supporting those who have been to war it seems.
"Really? Your politicians send people to war? How does that work?" Arthur asked Mr. Granger.
"Arthur! We can discuss that when get home and have lunch. You three will stay for lunch, won't you?" Molly said.
"Of course." Mrs. Granger said.
"Yes, time for you to be making tracks. If you'll just step over here." McGonagall said. They all took floo powder and left one by one. The Granger's did so last. When they had left, McGonagall turned to Dumbledore.
"I really hope Potter's words about ditching blood purity and building bridges of understanding with each other today are heeded, otherwise I fear he's right that we'll just be headed for another war." McGonagall said.
"Minerva, there's two people who have just left your office who are armed with strong convictions about what is right and are stubborn about getting what they want. You then have a third person who represents the very antithesis of the pure-blood ideology - a pure-blood who rejects the idea that being pure-blood makes you better than anyone else. I have a feeling that Harry, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley will make a formidable team in the rebuilding effort in creating this new world we desperately need." Dumbledore replied.
"I hope you're right Albus." McGonagall said.