The Best Years of Our Lives (a Hogwarts story)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter I simply own the Idea for this story and my Character Serafina. Kiyoko is copy write of my friend who is writing the next chapter.

By: KaityXBlindXAngel and Upendi Dreamer

Kiyoko's POV

After the night of Dumbledore's death all lessons were suspended and the examinations postponed. I didn't get any sleep that night and the next morning, as I lay awake staring at my canopy, Professor McGonagall came in to collect Parvati Patil, whose parents had come to collect her from school. I didn't get out to say good-bye though. Thoughts were swimming around in my head about what had happened only hours before. I had attacked my best friend. She would never speak to me again.

I wasn't hungry and really didn't want to see people but my father had always told me that even when things get bad, hiding from the world will do nothing to make it better. So I resentfully got ready and made my way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. As soon as I walked in my ears were greeted with shouts coming from Seamus Finnigan and his mother. It appeared that he refused to go home with her. I turned away from the commotion and sat at the Gryffindor Table across from Harry and Ron. I glanced at them but didn't say anything. Coming to breakfast at all was good enough, I though to myself. I took a little bit of food but just played with it on my plate to make it look like I was eating. Harry and Ron were joined by Seamus who mentioned something about his mother staying in Hogsmead when I got up and went back to my dormitory.

"Where are you Draco?" I say out loud to myself. I'm so worried about him. I love him so much and I don't know what I will do if I never see him again. I gently touch my lips and think back to last night. The kiss was unlike one I had ever experienced with him. It was deep and passionate and romantic and full of more longing than I had ever experience. How I wish I could kiss him like that again, if even just once more and promise him that I would never leave him.

"I promise," I mutter gently as I drift off to sleep

x x x

'Today's the day,' I think to myself as I am slowly getting ready for Dumbledore's funeral. After today I would be heading back home for the summer, maybe even longer if Hogwart's didn't open again. I'm not entirely sure if it will. After the battle I never got a chance to talk to my dad about what was going to happen to the school. A part of me hopes that it won't open again because I know it won't be the same. If the school is open next year there will be no Sera or Draco.

After packing all of my belongings into my trunk I walked down to the Great Hall for breakfast before the funeral. I had only been to one funeral before, my mother's, and I was only five then so I don't exactly know what to expect.

I glance around the Great Hall when I walk in. My eyes first go to the Slytherin table, hoping that Draco will be sitting in between Crabbe and Goyle just like ever other morning, but he isn't. I look across from Crabbe and Goyle to the spot Sera usually holds and it too is empty. I knew they both would be. My eyes next go to the Head Table where Professor Dumbledore's usual seat remains empty. Professor Snape's usual spot is filled by the Minister. Is Snape with Sera? I hope he is. At least then she won't be all alone.

I only eat a few bites before I see Professor McGonagall stand.

"It is nearly time. Please follow your Head of Houses out into the grounds. Gryffindors, after me."

I get to my feet and follow the crowd out to the grounds. I sat down between two Gryffindors that were a few years below me and sat with my head looking forward at a marble table that all our chairs were facing. I saw my dad with a group of Order members, including Tonks who he seemed to be holding hands with. About time he got his head out of his arse.

I didn't want to think about anything just now. Not about Dumbledore, not about Sera, not about Draco, not about all the lives that have been lost in this long and terrible battle between the Light and Dark. The more I try not to think the more I end up thinking about it and before I realize it the ceremony has started.

Hagrid walks slowly between the aisles of chairs, carrying something wrapped in purple velvet with golden stars. It then dawns on me that it is Dumbledore's body. I hear strange music and take my eyes from Hagrid to look for where it is coming from. At the edge of the lake I see merpeople, just below the surface singing in there language that I can not understand. I look back to where Hagrid was and notice that he is no longer there, but sitting next to a giant. Had this been anyone but Hagrid I would have not understood but I always had the suspicion that he was Half Giant. Back at the marble table, Dumbledore's body was laid out but I could not see it well.

A man in black robes got up and stood in front on the table. It seemed he was talking but I couldn't hear a word of it. I'm not exactly sure if it's just me that can't hear but I'm not really bothered by it. His words can't do anything to bring back the best Headmaster that Hogwarts has ever seen. I don't think this man will ever stop talking though. I feel like I have been sitting here for hours. Just as this though crosses my mind the man finally sits back down.

'It's about time. Dumbledore would never have wanted people to be bored out of their minds at his funeral,' I think to myself when suddenly the table that Dumbledore's body is laying on erupts into bright, white flames. I stare in amazement as they just get higher and higher, mingling with white smoke that looks like it is supposed to be actual shapes. From my position though, I can't exactly tell. Just as suddenly as the fire started it stops that in its place is a white marble tomb.

'Well that was definitely not boring. I guess I spoke to soon.' I had the sudden urge to laugh but thought better of it. Dumbledore wouldn't have cared; actually I think he would have loved to have people laughing at his funeral. To think back on the good times and not dwell on the painful.

People started to talk around me so I got up and walked over to my dad. He was currently talking to Mr. Weasley so I just sat down next to him. He put his hand on my knee to show me that he knew I was there. After a few minutes he turned to me.

"Kiyo-," I stop him before he can say anything else and wrap my arms around him. He hugs me back, gently rubbing my back and before I know it I'm crying again. I haven't cried since I left Draco and it feels good just to get everything out. I calm down and he kisses the top of my head, knowing that he doesn't have to say anything. That just being there for me was all I needed.

"Thanks Dad," I say to him as I get up from the chair. I know he wants to ask me something, but I'm glad that he doesn't. I'm not ready to talk about what happened at the battle just yet. Tonks makes her way back over to us and grabs my dad's hand. He blushes and tries to hide it from me but I can't help but say something to him.

"About time Dad." He gives me a look that tells me I should stop there but I don't. "I thought you were never going to stop being such a scaredy wolf and jump on the love train."

"Kiyo," he glares at me but I see the laugh he is trying to hold back. I let out a giggle that soon turns into a full out laugh. Tonks joins me, and soon so does my dad and I know that it will be ok.

A/N: Well this was the first chapter with the new co-author, what do you think? Wll you know what to do read and review! Sera