Chapter 34: Repercussions

The vigil had been going on for almost three days. Anyone involved in the battle refused to leave the great hall until the four heroes woke up. It was a confusing time for everyone. The world they had known was now turned upside down. Dumbledore was very sick and was kept away from the students and teachers. McGonagall who would normally be the next voice of reason was dealing with the Ministry of Magic, while Snape continued to try and help Madam Pomfrey as best as he could. Lupin refused to leave Harry and Julia's side even to eat. It was in this time that a new leader emerged. Whispers of his use of the killing curse continued to spread like wild fire around the great hall but no one dared to ask him. He was pulled into a meeting with the Ministry hours after the battle, but again no one had the courage to ask him what happened. Neville no longer looked like the goofy, unsure of himself kid the Slytherin's would pick on. He was confident but behind the confidence lingered the scare from his dark deed. He had told his grandmother about what happened in the quidditch pitch once things had settled down.

"Sometimes the only way to deal with evil is to use evil Neville," His grandmother whispered as she hugged the young boy. Neville was now coordinating the effort to take care of the families who might have lost someone during the battle.

"Dobby," Neville said softly. "Have any of the Weasley's eaten their food?"

"No Sir," Dobby looked down at the floor. His big bright eyes brimmed with tears. "Professor Lupin hasn't eaten either." Neville nodded his head then slowly walked to the area in which the Weasley family was held. Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall put up walls to give them privacy. They were all gathered by Charlie's bed. Once in a great while one of the twins or Ginny would come out and grab some type of drink to give to their mother, but other than that no one had seen them. Neville slowly pulled the curtain divider open and peeked in to see Mrs. Weasley holding Charlie's hand, while the twins and Bill were standing so Ginny could sleep on the bed next to Charlie's. Mrs. Weasley looked up and saw Neville.

"Neville dear," Mrs. Weasley's voice was horse and could barley reach over a whisper.

"Mrs. Weasley," Neville slowly entered the room and closed the curtains behind him. "Dobby told me none of you have eaten."

"Oh we're find dear," Mrs. Weasley tried to smile.

"Please Mrs. Weasley, Ron is going to need you at full strength when he wakes up," Neville said softly. The mention of Ron seemed to snap Mrs. Weasley out of her funk.

"He's right mum," Fred walked over to his mother and put a tender hand on her shoulder. "We'll all try to eat if you try." Mrs. Weasley gave a quick nod.

"I'll have Dobby bring you something right away," Neville began to leave when he felt a hand grab his arm. It was George.

"How's Lupin?" George whispered. Neville just shook his head, then left. Neville found Dobby and gave him instructions to send food to the Weasley's. The foursome had been kept together and unlike the Weasleys, they were in plain view for everyone to see. People took turns watching over them, though it was normally a crowd that watched over them. As Neville approached, the group parted, he could see Lupin sitting between Harry and Julia.

"How's he doing?" Neville asked Seamus.

"Hasn't moved a muscle," Seamus whispered. The inner circle of the crowd was all Gryffindor. They were protective of their classmates and wanted to make sure no one could disrupt them. Neville stepped up behind Lupin and gently tapped his shoulder.

"Professor," Neville whispered.

"Hello Neville," Lupin eyes were red rimmed from lack of sleep and his voice was scratchy.

"They would want you to eat sir," Neville ever so slowly sat down on the edge of Julia's bed.

"When I graduated all those years ago I never imagined I'd be the only one left," Lupin muttered while looking at Julia. "First Peter betrayed Lilly and James to Voldemort, and then I lost Sirius," Silent tears welled up in Lupin's eyes. "Harry and Julia are all I have left," Lupin whispered before looking Neville in the eye. "I can't lose them too."

"You wont Professor," Neville said cautiously. "But you're no good to them if you're in a hospital bed from lack of eating and sleeping." Lupin gave a slight grunt.

"You're right Neville," Lupin said as he stood. The professor tried to stand but almost passed out. Luckily Neville and Seamus caught him and helped him over to a bed next to Julia. Within moments Lupin was asleep, leaving Neville completely alone to deal with everyone.

"Neville," Seamus said as his friend took Lupin's seat between Harry and Julia. "Is it true, what people er sayin'?"

"What are they saying?" Neville looked over at Julia then realized that someone was walking up to him. Luna walked from the row of beds on the opposite side of the foursome.

"They're saying you killed Bellatrix," the young girl bent down so that Neville would look her in the eye. "Is it true Neville? Did you kill her?" Neville's eye's never left Julia's face.

"It's true," Neville whispered as people closest too him gasped while others asked what he had just said. "I killed her." Neville's eyes were heavy from lack of sleep. He hadn't realized that he wasn't taking care of himself.

"Here Neville," Luna took Neville's hand and guided him to a bed behind Harry's. "We'll wake you if anything happens."

"Now what?" A first year asked.

"We help those we can," Luna said as she now took the watch. Dumbledore would have been proud of his students, they had reversed roles and were now taking care of the people who were supposed to take care of them.

The next night consciousness began to resonate within Harry. The first thing he was aware of was his connection to his friends who were also waking up. Whispers of conversations began to fill Harry's ears.

"How's the Headmaster," Lupin's voice was the first one Harry recognized.

"I don't know, Poppy hasn't said much," the voice of McGonagall was the next. Harry's instinct was to speak but his mouth was so dry he couldn't form the words. He forced his eye open, despite how heavy they felt.

"Wa – wa," Harry tried to say, he took a hard swallow and tried again. "Water," his voice scratchy and low.

"Oh my," McGonagall breathed as she saw the foursome's eye's open and close as the group tried to wake themselves up. She then noticed Harry slowly reach his hand up trying to get her attention. "Remus they're awake!" McGonagall practically shouted. The normal crowd that watched over the heroes doubled in size instantly as everyone tried to get a look at them. Lupin, Neville, Luna and McGonagall gently held their heads as they gave each of the foursome water.

"What happened?" Julia spoke first as Lupin gently guided her head back down onto the pillow.

"You don't remember?" Lupin asked.

"I remember a bright light," Ron said as he tried to push himself up on his elbows.

"I remember seeing Sirius," Hermione said after taking another sip of water. At that moment all four sat up and remembered.

"Voldemort!" they shouted at the same time.

"Gone," Lupin helped Julia sit up. "I don't know what you were doing to him, but he fled before you could completely destroy him."

"Where's Dumbledore?" Harry asked as he sat on the edge of his bed. Both McGonagall and Lupin looked at each other.

"He's sick," Hermione answered. "That black mist was not just a spell, it was something else." Ron started looking around for his family.

"Where are my mum and dad?" Ron asked as he tried to stand. Silence fell upon the crowd no one had the heart to be the first to tell Ron about his father.

"Something happened to your father Ron," the rough voice of Moody broke the silence. The old wizard stepped forward. He had just woken up earlier that day. "I wasn't paying attention and Voldemort snuck up behind me." Moody trailed off. Then James' words came rushing back to Ron.

"He's gone," Ron whispered. Lucius Malfoy had pushed his way through the crowd when he heard the four had woken up.

"He died bravely," Lucius said. His voice startled everyone but Ron who had seen him approach.

"Why are you here," Ron growled.

"Ron," Hermione tried to step in front of Ron but he sidestepped her.

"Get out," Ron continued his low growl.

"Mr. Malfoy brought you father's body back," McGonagall explained as she stepped in front of Ron.

"Probably so the Ministry wouldn't send him to Azkaban," Ron snapped back.

"I tried to stop him, against my better judgment but I did," Lucius eyed the young Weasley.

"I'd mind your place Lucius," Julia now stood right in front of the former Death Eater.

"If it isn't the famed Julia Potter," Lucius snickered. "It would seem that Bella lost her battle against you."

"I had help," Julia smiled.

"Oh," Lucius raised his eyebrow.

"I killed Bellatrix," Neville stepped forward.

"You," Lucius scoffed.

"Yes he did," Julia took another step forward so that she was only inches from the older Malfoy's face.

"Enough!" came a wheezing cough from an old wizard.

"Dumbledore!" Harry cried out.

"Headmaster what are you doing out of bed," Madam Pomfrey looked like she was about to have a conniption. The crowd turned to surround the tired wizard, who was leaning on Tonks for support.

"Lucius, please check on Draco while I speak with young Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore eyed the man. Lucius bowed his head then left to sit with Draco. Dumbledore gingerly walked over to the four heroes.

"Ron," Dumbledore's voice was gentle and soft as he walked over to the red head. "You're father gave his life to save another. He will forever be known as a hero in our fight against evil," Dumbledore put his hand on Ron's shoulder as he spoke.

"Where is he?" Ron asked, his voice his voice devoid of any emotion.

"They're preparing him for his funeral," Dumbledore whispered trying to keep the conversation as intimate as possible.

"Can I see him?" Ron asked.

"Of course." Several minutes later the foursome along with Dumbledore, McGonagall, Lupin and Tonks walked to a small private room. The door opened to reveal a room filled with the dead. Fifteen in all had lost their lives in the battle, it was a small number but one Dumbledore didn't want to have to face at all. Dean had been the only student to lose his life, while Arthur was the only non-Auror/ Last Alliance adult to lose his life. They walked the long row of lifeless faces until Dean's appeared. They were all in plain gowns at the moment. The families would choose dress robes before the bodies were taken to the funeral pyre. The three Gryffindor's gathered around their friend's body for a moment to pay their respect. From Dean they moved on to Mr. Weasley. Ron very slowly reached for his father's hand, which was so ice cold. There were so many things Ron wanted to say but didn't know where to begin.

"Mr. Weasley," Harry spoke first trying to take any pressure off of Ron. "You were like the father I'd never had. You took me in and treated me like another son even when it was dangerous to the rest of your family. I'll never forget you," Harry finished while trying to battle the lump that had formed in his throat.

"You were always asking me questions about muggles and you treated me like an equal and not a child. Your thirst for knowledge and your passion for a world outside your own made you more unique then any other wizard I know. I'll miss you greatly," Hermione added. Julia stepped forward and cleared her throat.

"All I can do is thank you Arthur, for taking care of my nephew when I couldn't. I know that James and Lilly thank you as well." Finally Ron's turn came to say some parting words.

"Dad," Ron started. "I know I wasn't the best student and I know I gave you and Mum a lot of scares over the years but any time I was in danger I knew you guys would be there for me," Ron paused. "I'm just sorry I couldn't be there for you," Ron's voice failed for a moment. "I promise to look over Ginny and Mum and I'll watch over your muggle collection," The young man was running out of words to say. "I love you Dad."

Several days later those words were repeated as the large mass of people gathered to pay their respects to the fifteen dead. The funeral pyres were constructed by the lake on the very ground on which they had fought on. The house elves had done such a wonderful job cleaning up the field, you would never know peopled walked on the grass, let alone fought on it. The dead were dressed in their finest robes and held on to their wands in both hands. Dean's family had been contacted by Dumbledore and McGonagall personally brought them to Hogwarts. His mother and stepfather were in awe of everything around them. They lined his funeral pyre with tokens and things Dean loved about both worlds; a Jersey from the West Ham football team, his Gryffindor quidditch outfit, and a picture of Dean with his family.

"When he sent letters home telling us about all the wonderful things he was learning I never really understood it. I also never understood why Dean's real father walked out on us, but now," his mother trailed off as she looked at her dead son. "Now I understand they both were fighting against evil. But what brings me comfort is knowing how much he was loved," tears flowed freely down the woman's face. Seamus stepped forward to say a few words about his best friend.

"Gryffindor will never forget yer," Seamus's voice failed. "I'll never forget yer." Dean's mother went over and gave Seamus a hug.

"It is now time to send them on their final journey," Dumbledore's voice echoed over the crowd. In unison those gather placed their hoods over they heads in a sign of respect for the dead. A friend or family member of the dead went over to a large bonfire and grabbed a torch. Ron was the only Weasley that seemed composed enough to perform the ritual. Charlie had been brought out in a chair with the levitation spell on it and had taken several pain potions so that he could watch. The torchbearers raised their torches to signal they were ready.

"May these lights guide you on your next journey but may they also help you to always find your way home," Dumbledore bowed his head. "And now a little Irish blessing to send our friend on their way," Dumbledore stepped back. Julia now stood between the rows of pyres.

"Be they kings, or poets, or farmers – They're a people of great worth – They keep company with the angels – And bring a bit of heaven here to earth," As Julia finished her blessing the torches were lowered and the pyres lit. The firelight illuminated the lake and matched the fiery sunset above. Harry watched as the fire reflected in Ron's eyes, which had been vacant to any emotions since he was told about his father. Harry worried that this fire he was now seeing in Ron's eyes would become a permanent fixture until they faced Voldemort again. A soft hand weaved its way into Harry's. He looked up and saw Hermione watching Dean and Mr. Weasley's body burn away into nothingness.

"He'll pay for what he's done," she whispered. Even with the hood up Harry could see her face glow from the fire light, with a small stream of tears accented her features.

"Yes he will," Harry squeezed her hand as he turned back to look into the fire. His eyes then followed the line of smoke as it rose from the pyre to the heavens. Harry then remembered his father's words and knew that both Mr. Weasley and Dean were watching over them.

A/N - The next chapter is the last one. Just wanted to give everyone fair warning, plus it will be posted before the 16th. As you might have guessed I am planning on writing a sequal. But I'm gonna take a month or two off before I start working on it. As always I can't thank you all anough for the kind words. You guys keep me going.