I Miss You
Chapter 14
Ron was released from the hospital wing the next day, along with Luna and most of the other survivors. A few students- Lavender Brown included- were more seriously hurt and were required to stay in the hospital wing until they were more healed.
The total death toll was 46 Hogwarts students, 1 Hogwarts professor, and 7 civilians, Madame Rosmerta included.
After all of the students were released from the hospital wing, a memorial service was planned. There was to be a memorial built on school grounds, although each student would have their own separate funeral (or, in Pavarti and Padma Patil's case, a joint one).
Dumbledore had made the memorial optional, knowing that some people wouldn't be able to handle the event. Harry felt obliged to attend… but he didn't know if he could. "Dammit," he muttered to himself, sitting in the prefect lounge one afternoon.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione asked, having just walked in. She stood behind his chair and started to give him a neck rub, knowing that he was stressed from everything that had happened.
"Well, it's just…" He pressed his fingers to his temples. "I feel so obligated to attend this memorial service, but I don't know if I could handle it. I mean… well…" He faltered.
"I absolutely understand, Harry. Look, if you don't want to go that is totally okay, and I'm sure everyone will understand… but if you feel up to it tomorrow then just let me know. I'll be there for you, and so will Ron."
Harry sighed. "All right," he said, "I think I'll be able to go. It would haunt me if I didn't. So what time is the service again?"
"It's at 10, and there are no classes that day. Well… obviously… that might make things kinda difficult. Having classes and all."
"Right," Harry said, and chuckled softly at the image of Snape trying to control a sobbing class. "So then… tomorrow."
«.:.:.:.»
"Ohh, this was so a bad idea," Harry whispered to Hermione. It was almost 10, and the service hadn't even started. However, half of the students there were already in tears. Lavender, who was very close to Pavarti and who loved Professor Trelawny, was in hysterics in the back.
Things quieted somewhat when Dumbledore strode out onto the hilltop where the memorial was to be placed and cleared his throat.
"We are gathered here today to honor those whose lives were lost this past weekend in Hogsmeade, when a bomb went off at the Three Broomsticks."
A wave of sobs overcame almost all of the students in the school. Each person there was affected. Everybody knew somebody that had died that past weekend at The Three Broomsticks, and everybody was, in that way, affected.
Dumbledore began to list each student. "We pray for the repose of the soul of Euan Abercrombie, Cho Chang, Pavarti Patil, Padma Patil, Eleanor Branstone…" The list continued on, and with every name that was listed, a pang of guilt and grief shot through Harry. Tears began to flow freely down his cheeks, but he held his head up high and prayed for each and every person on the list. Hermione gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, tears running down her cheeks as well. Harry looked down at her and gave her a weak smile.
The wind whipped through the crowd, and a light dusting of snow began to fall as Dumbledore finished the service. "Each of the students that were killed were an asset to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and each will be sorely missed. We thank each of you for coming out today. You may come up to the memorial now if you wish."
One by one, every single student went up to the memorial. Most placed flowers. Some placed poems written, gifts, or treasured possessions. Eventually, Harry went up by himself. He brought nothing with him but a promise. As he reached the memorial, he kneeled and whispered, quietly so that nobody would hear, "I swear on my life that I will do everything I can to avenge the wizard who did this to you." He bowed his head, said a prayer, and then turned and walked back to his place.
The ceremony over, students turned back to go to the castle. Most of the students were already back inside when a loud crack, like the sound of many wizards Apparating at the same time, sounded from right outside the castle gates.
«.:.:.:.»
Author's Note: Ooh, look at me, updating fast! Fastfast! WHEEEE! –hyper-
Need I remind you: I FEED UPON GOOD REVIEWS. LOTS OF THEM. I EAT THEM FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER. MMM, REVIEW. :3
P.S. Am I the only one who has a thing for crying men? They are my total weakness. Like in A Walk To Remember (the movie, not the book, although I read the book too) the part that made me cry the most was when the Shane West character went to thank his dad for paying for home care and then he cried. There was a flood at my house that night.
LucyInTheSkyWithDiamonds7: Thanks for the compliment… you're right, though, about it being unpredictable. Most of the time I don't know what's going to happen before it happens. So, yeah. Except now I have a boring job (I shelve books at the library) and I can write plot stuff in my head.
Tamar-shaki: Hermione didn't cry in front of Harry for two reasons… 1. She had to show strength for him because, well, it kinda was his fault all those people died (Don't tell Harry I said that) and 2. Because she knew that Harry would feel like complete and utter crap if Hermione cried in front of him. So yeah.