A/N: Here's the final chapter. Thanks for reviewing everyone! Keep it up! Thanks to the wonderful bata's!
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter.
Albus Dumbledore.
It's been two days since the death of Seamus Finnigan. It saddens me so, to see another worthy, smart student die. He was so young. He was so full of promise, and it makes me sick to my old, tired stomach to see him go.
I have always tried not to pick favorites among students in my years as Headmaster, but I fear I have failed miserably at this. Seamus was such a young Gryffindor, so full of promise to this hard, hard world. He could have made something of his life, and no doubt he would have too.
I think that I have always thought he was almost like myself. He was brave and caring of people and I have witnesses with my own weary eyes, the chances he gave people. I have seen his behavior to others, and to peers. He was never one to brake to many rules, nor follow so strictly. He always appeared in my eyes, as one who was much like that of a thorn in a rose bush. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. His fate was not meant for him.
He lived a braver life than most his age. He took death standing up and showed no weakening fear for it. He died most honorably in my eyes, and no one will ever take that title away from him.
Seamus Finnagin was a kind person, as I said before. He knew how to cheer a fellow class mate, and he never stopped in his will to learn more and more each day. He practiced quite thoroughly, (sometimes a tad too much!) and he learned. He got good grades in school and worked hard. He got all the gore, and almost none of the glory.
It sickened me to see a boy so young as he, die like this. It wasn't his fate to go like this. He was descended for something greater. Like Harry Potter, I think he would have done great things in his life. I realized very quickly, that indeed, Seamus had done something great already.
He gave his life for love and honor and he did not bend to death. Many stronger men I've known over two normal lifetimes would have crumbled so pitifully, but not this young man. He has brought pride to the name he holds, and renewed meaning to the name Gryffindor. He served bravery well. I bow my head in greatest respect to him.
I walked so calmly into the Entrance Hall that evening. I knew what had happen well before I saw it in my line of vision. I could smell death in the air that day, before young Finnagin left. As he made his way to the door, so eager and ready to fight for his Father, and his Wizarding world, I touched the lad's hand.
"We each find bravery in our own ways, Mr. Finnigan." I told him sagely.
He did not disregard this statement. He indeed took it into mind and looked thoughtfully at me. He bowed slightly.
"You do me great honor, sir," Seamus Finnagin said to me.
Now, after his death, I can feel regretful tears welling in these old eyes. I had seen many deaths in my life, indeed too many. None of them so strongly distressed me. It is a hard task to lose someone. I have learned this lesson countless times, and no matter how old I grow, no matter how gray I become, I continue to learn this hard lesson in my heart.
I do know, and I believe Seamus was intended for greatness. He will live forever in my mind, not shadowing any of his memories in me, and purely seeing the person he was. Many good men die, and I remember all those who pass on. He will grow stronger in my mind, his spirit lives in this very school, in this very ground.
There are many things that I would consider Seamus. He was a son to his parents, he was lively memory to his father after death, he was a lover to a young girl, he was friends to countless. The halls seem emptier without his laughter to fill them. I can tell when a student is missing. It's different when they graduate. They move on, and their presence remains at Hogwarts forever. However, when they die... it is a great pity upon us all.
Seamus Finnagin was a student that I loved. I can't explain all my feelings for the students I look after, but I feel a certain love for all of them in turn, and my love for Seamus was that of an old grandfather who lost his grandson.
We all lost something when Seamus died.
Harry Potter dragged his body miles back to Hogwarts. Harry's eyes were red and blood shot as he carried Seamus into the hall. He had the look he wore when he dragged back Cedric Diggory; he had just witnessed his friend being killed. It was a terrible thing to face.
Now, I looked sadly out at the Great Hall. Everyone is sitting down to eat dinner. There was a silence that came over the tables, as people whispered, talked, remembered, and cried for Seamus Finnagin.
I cleared my throat and picked up my goblet. Minerva McGonnagall was teary. A sent her a comforting smile.
I tapped my fork against my goblet and made a loud clinking noise. At once, everyone fell silent and looked at me. I gulped down my grief and was faintly aware of a tear forming my eye.
"If I may have everyone's attention," I said. Everyone in the Great Hall turned to look at me. "Today is a day when we all must remember a fine student who went to this school. A student who once sat among our crowds of young, and hopeful Witches and Wizards.
"We have all lost a great person. We have lost a student, a love interest, a classmate, a roommate, a brother, and a friend. Through this war of raging evil, we must remember those tragically lost to it. But even though we have lost a person tonight, we have all gained great respect for him."
Everyone was quiet, and faint sobbing could be heard. Levender Brown cried into her hands, Harry Potter rubbed his temples, and Dean Thomas closed his eyes to remember his best friend.
I continued sadly and took a deep breath.
"Please raise your glasses in memory of a great person. He was a student. He was a Wizard. He was a friend.
"He was Seamus Finnagin."
FIN