Disclaimer: Not JK, never will be but I'm a KJ… does that count for anything? I don't think so buddy Jim!

Chapter 11. Fortress of Shadows

"…we remember those who we have left behind. Those who have shifted from their immortal coil and reside now in immortal bodies. We honour our dead as we return them to the soil whence they came. Their presence in our hearts is renewed with the rising of the morning sun…"

Harry shifted his foot slightly on the ground, twisting his foot uncomfortably digging into the soft dirt. The small graveyard located near the school was mostly silent with the exception of Dumbledore's ever strong voice and Hermione's somewhat strangled sobs behind him. Without thinking he placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder, which she took in her own cold pale fingers. He attempted to smile reassuring to her but failed and contented himself to look over the Hogwarts estate as Dumbledore's soft grandfatherly voice continued the eulogy for their fallen.

"… death and war have come to us on swift wings. Remember always choice." Dumbledore glanced up at this moment and looked straight into Harry's emerald eyes. "Chose now the path of right or the path of lest resistance… but remember your fallen classmates."

Harry swallowed heavily and played with the small budding rose in his hand. With a nod from the headmaster the students stepped forward and dropped their roses onto the gilded black coffins that had already been lowered into the earthy ground. Harry paused at the coffin before him and then very slowly the rose fell from his finger tips and descended as if in slow motion. It landed lightly barely covering the name of Cho Chang.

Harry felt his heart twist in a strange sort of agony. He had been 'going' out with Cho the pervious year and it had only ended in disaster. They had both said and done stupid things but now Harry would never have the chance to tell her that he was sorry. 'At least,' he thought somewhat sourly, 'she is with Cedric now.'

Harry let his eyes travel to the coffin beside Cho's… Merietta, "The Sneak." It seemed so strange and surreal standing there when both of these Ravenclaw girls (and so many other students were… gone). Reality had not set yet in Harry's mind. But he found somewhere in the depths of his heart the ability to forgive Merietta for the wrong she committed to the DA last year.

With one last glance at the gut wrenching scene of the graveyard, Harry murmured, "Be at peace," all the while looking at Cho's coffin. Then very deliberately he turned on his heel and left the sad and sorry scene.

The first time Harry became aware of his footsteps taking him to the Great Hall, where much of the trouble had started was when he reached the familiar once welcoming oak doors. He stood a moment in the doorway then pushed it open and walked through the silent hall.

He was accustomed to the Hall being a noisy egertic place, full of students' chatter and laughter. Now it was a great hole, empty and devoid of any happy sounds. No longer would this hall grant Harry, or any other student at Hogwarts comfort.

Looking up Harry found the hole in the ceiling - a great gaping hole in the defence of the castle. He circled it slowly marking out the jagged edges and wondered at the feelings of horror the students would have felt when the dementors came pouring in. He shivered remembering the look of horror and panic on Luna Lovegood's usually neutral face.

When Godric Gryffindor escorted him back to the liberated Hogwarts castle, Harry had sensed the founder had tried to prevent him from seeing what was happening from inside. He had seen anyway. Those students who had not died were devoid of their souls. If Harry had any energy left he would have surely have wept from sheer pity… he could think of nothing worse for those students and their families.

For the first time in his life, Harry had been glad he did not shoulder an adult's responsibilities. While the students lay restless in their beds, the teachers and the order of the phoenix gathered the bodies of the fallen and prepared for the memorial service. Harry knew it had been a gruelling task. McGonagall had arrived shortly before Harry and she looked like she permanently wanted to cry. Harry had been shocked at first, then surprised as she brought him into a tight hug when she first saw him.

"Harry…" Soft footsteps echoed behind Harry. Turning on his heel Harry became aware of Remus Lupin. Harry smiled at the last remaining of his parents' friends through watering eyes, he was certain that his smile came out as a grimace despite his effort.
"You okay?"
Harry nodded and took a tentative step towards Lupin. Lupin on the other hand took three gigantic steps and swept Harry into a tight embrace.
"I came as soon as Dumbledore informed me."
Harry prised himself out of Remus Lupin's arms gently. "Knew you would."
Lupin, responded with a rueful nod, "I'm glad your quick thinking saved some of the students."
Harry glanced up at Remus confused.
"Hermione and Ron told Godric, who told Dumbledore, who told McGonagall who told me…"
"Ah…well…" Harry said gesturing around. "Not everybody was saved."
Remus sighed heavily and squeezed Harry's shoulder reassuringly and started to lead Harry out of the Great Hall. "You did what you could. No one could have asked more of you Harry."

Harry let Lupin take him from the Great Hall without much of a fuss. The world around him had seemed to have stopped; nothing seemed to matter much anymore.
"You look terrible Harry."
Sneaking a peak at Lupin, Harry noticed how haggard he looked. "So do you…"
"Full moon…" Lupin's lips barely opened as he uttered his reply.
Harry mentally smacked himself on the forehead. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid!'
"You should go and rest…"
Lupin nodded wearily. "Order meeting…"

Harry watched in dismay as Lupin made his way silently through the halls towards wherever the meeting for the Order of the Phoenix was being held. Last year Harry would have been desperate to find out what the order was discussing; now however he couldn't be bothered.

Instead of going back to the students' quarters which were ideally near the witch with the one hump, Harry felt his feet wandering again. Ignoring the whispering and pointing of the portraits Harry didn't stop until he was confronted with a glowing message that Hermione read to him not so many hours ago…

"You have called upon the mighty. You have upon ancient lore. You have called for a weapon… Behold the greatest weapon is the Weapon of Choice…"

But unlike the last time he found himself here, Harry noticed a door. Stepping towards the door gingerly Harry stretched out his hand and touched the cold knob. The knob seemed to turn itself in Harry's hand and the door creaked opened slowly…

Harry felt as if Dudley had punched in particular hard in his stomach. Breathless and in shock he fell to his knees in a state of panic and turmoil. Tears that had been threatening to overwhelm him started to drip from his eyes uninvited and splashed down his cheeks and onto the soft carpet underneath his knees.

Gasping for air, Harry reached his hands to his mouth and gave a strange strangled cry. The tears started to drip more frequently as he rocked back and forth an odd choking noise came from his throat.

For even the Room of Requirement had not been a safe refuge for unfortunate students. Harry blinked once and looked around the room; scattered bodies dotted the floor… Anthony Goldstein, Hannah Abbott… Zacharias Smith and few unnamed students obviously lead here by his loyal 'army'.

"Harry…"

Harry winced to be found weeping for the fallen. He clenched his jaw and straightened his head to glance up. As he did so Harry tried to fiercely wipe away his tell tale tears.

Godric Gryffindor sighed and fell onto his knees beside Harry with a genial smile. But his smile was soon replaced with a frown when he saw the room and its contents.

Very slowly Godric offered Harry his arm and pulled Harry to his feet. Harry swayed a little and glanced away embarrassed.
"It is not wrong to grieve, Harry. Tears are not evil; weep and feel pain." Harry looked incredulously up at the founder so that Godric was forced to continue. "For when you stop feeling is when you stop being human…"
Harry snorted in disdain. "I wish I could not feel…"
"Not feel?" Godric squeezed Harry's shoulder. "To not know pain, is not to know love and warmth… there cannot be one without the other."

Real quote of our forum and interview with JK Rowling about graveyards at Hogwarts…

Cuarón : I give you an example: There's a scene where Malfoy wants to see Buckbeak being executed. It's where Hermione punches him. And there's a sundial. We thought we need something there. I said 'Let's put a graveyard there'.

She says: 'No, you can't have a graveyard there'. And I'm like, 'Why?' She says: 'Oh because the graveyard is near this other wing of the castle and it's going to play an important part in number six because such and such and such.