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Chapter 35 - The Order of Merlin

2nd May 1999 was welcomed by a warm sun rise. There was little breeze as Harry walked along the drive to the Burrow. Normally the morning sun would have put him in a good mood, he always felt better when the sun was shining, there was nothing worse than the winter days where he went to work and came home in the dark.

This morning was different though, Harry couldn't help being numb to the warmth. It had been a year to the day since he had defeated Voldemort, he knew it would be a day celebrated across the country, for those who had lost people in the battle though it was a sombre affair.

Today they were attending an anniversary memorial at Hogwarts. Harry had been asked to give a speech, which he would have refused if Ginny hadn't talked him into it. She told him it would mean a lot to those there, especially the ones who fought, to hear from him.

Harry also had a feeling that Kingsley was up to something. Everyday throughout the past week he had been into the Auror office to make sure Harry was attending. It seemed pretty over the top to check so much on a guest speaker, however, when he questioned Kingsley about it the old Auror just told him there were many people looking forward to hearing from him.

The Burrows kitchen was deathly silent when he walked in. Arthur, Molly, George, Charlie and Ron were all seated around the table, stony faced, whilst picking absently at their food. Even Ron seemed to of lost his appetite.

'Morning Everyone.' Said Harry quietly closing the door behind. He received various replies from each of them.

'Would you like any breakfast dear?' Asked Mrs Weasley.

Harry smiled 'No I'm OK thanks, I've already eaten.'

Harry sat down and joined the companionable silence as they all finished their breakfast. All to soon they were walking to the apparation point to disapparate to Hogsmeade. They arrived at the busy train station and boarded the carriages that would take them up to the school.

When they arrived on the grounds Harry immediately spotted Ginny talking to Hermione, Dean, Seamus and Luna. The atmosphere was sombre here too, from what the students said, the Great Hall had been decorated in Black and even Peeves had been seen comforting students.

When the time came, they all made their way over to their seats, which were laid before a raised platform by the lake. As he looked around he spotted more familiar faces, including Andy, Teddy, Hagrid, Trott (who was there along with some of the other Aurors), the school teachers and old DA members.

He pulled Ginny tighter to him in anticipation of the day's events, she rested her head on his shoulder watching the platform keenly. As people took their time finding their seats, conversation was held in whispers, with the majority sat in a stoic silence waiting for Kingsley to start.

When the Minister stood the whispering died as everyone turned their attention to him. 'Thank you all for coming. We are here today to remember those we lost, not only during the final battle, but during both wars against Voldemort.

'It was a year ago that I received a message telling me that Voldemort had gathered his forces on borders of this school. To tell you the truth it terrified me, not the battle itself, I had been trained for that very scenario. It was knowing that we would lose many innocent lives.'

He looked over the crowd with a frown 'I'm afraid almost everyone here would have known someone who died or was horrifically injured during the fighting. There was one thing though that kept me going during that time. It was the same thing that drove all of us on that fateful night, we were fighting for those we cared about. There is no greater strength than that.'

He glanced behind him to the chair that McGonagall was sat on, she nodded curtly. 'Now it's time for Professor McGonagall to say a few words before she reads out the names of those who passed on that fateful night.'

He vacated the stand so McGonagall could replace him. 'Good Morning everybody. As a society we came to close to losing everything, we fought a war against the worst threat the wizarding world has ever seen. All I ask is that we try to prevent the next one.

'Tom Riddle was a normal, yet talented boy, when he arrived at this school. I wonder, if we didn't have the prejudices we have, whether he would still have turned out like he did. The biggest problem though was the number of people who actively supported him.

'If he had been a lone voice in a crowd, he would never of had the power he held over us. We would never have dreamed to fear his name. Bare that in mind as I read out the names of those who died fighting a monster we as a society helped to create.' She began reciting the 52 names of those who fought in the battle.

Harry felt a pang with each one, particularly when it was the name of someone he knew. He remembered the boy who always wanted to take his picture, the teacher who wore the shabby clothes, the young woman who hated being called her full name, the prankster who brought a smile to so many faces and numerous others.

Once she was finished McGonagall sat down and Kingsley took back to the stand. 'Thankyou Professor. Now many people fought in the battle and thankfully many survived to enjoy the peace we won. Without the efforts of certain individuals though we would never have won that war and I would like to invite one of them to the stand now. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you, Harry Potter.'

There was an outbreak of murmuring when his name was read out. It seemed as though the Minister had kept this part quiet. Ginny gave his hand a quick squeeze before releasing him to join Kingsley. As he walked down the centre of the isle, he could feel the eyes of everyone on him, he suddenly felt strangely nervous.

He walked up the stairs to the platform and took his position at the front after a quick nod to Kingsley. He took a deep breath 'Good morning everyone.' He said nervously. 'I had wrote down what I was going to say but it seems my memory has failed me.'

There was a light chuckling from the crowd. 'Today is utterly surreal, there's a part of me telling me that today should be a celebration. We should be celebrating the end of Voldemort and the success of everyone who fought against him.

'Celebrating though, is the last thing I can think of doing.' He looked across the crowd, he found it strange that they were hanging off his every word. 'Whenever I think about that day, all I feel is sadness. A great deep sadness for the people we lost.

'Thinking about the things I never got to say, the questions I always forgot to ask. Then I start thinking of the people left behind, the parents who lost a child, the orphans who would never know their parents, the friends who would never go for a drink again.'

He took a steadying breath and a sip of water before continuing. 'As much as it hurts though, it is important that we remember these people. It's vital that we remember what they fought for and keep sight of the good they achieved.

'Never again can we allow someone to plunge the wizarding world into darkness. It's up to all of us to make sure that everyone is welcome and that everyone is equal. Maybe then we can stop such a tragedy happening again.

'One man could never have beaten Voldemort and his army of Death Eaters. It took all of us to come together and stand up for what we believe in to beat him.' Harry coughed slightly as his throat ran dry.

'I'm sure one day I will celebrate this day. Celebrate the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice whilst standing up to evil. Today though, I just wish they were all here with us.'

There was silence as the crowd watched him find his seat. When he got there Ginny stood up and wrapped him in a hug. 'Not the inspirational speech they were all hoping for eh?' He whispered barely audible in her ear.

'It was beautiful. You summed up how everyone is feeling.' She whispered back just as quietly.

He gave her a grateful squeeze and they returned to their seats. 'Thankyou Harry. Now I agree that today is a sad day which is why I think it is only right that we honour those who played significant parts in the war.

'Today it is my privilege as Minister for Magic to award Orders of Merlin to those that acquitted themselves with distinction throughout the war. If I call your name, please come up to the stage.' That git no wonder he wanted me here.

Ginny shifted uncomfortably. 'You knew didn't you?' he asked her bluntly.

'Yeah, I told everyone not to tell you. I knew you would get your wand in a knot.'

'It's a good job I love you.' He said kissing the top of her head.

'I know, otherwise I would have to hex you to get you up there.'

'You still might.' He muttered making her giggle lightly. Their attention was drawn back to Kingsley.

'For leading the association known as the DA or Dumbledore's Army despite the Death Eater influence at the school. I award the Order of Merlin Third Class to the following: Luna Lovegood.' There was a cheer and applause as Luna stood from her seat.

'Ginevra Weasley.' Molly pulled her into a bone crushing hug, the applause became even more boisterous. 'and finally, Neville Longbottom.' Neville turned crimson as he rose from his chair and walked to the platform.

As each of them got there Kingsley hung their medals around their necks and told them to stand behind him in a line. 'Next I award the Order of Merlin Second Class to the following teachers and staff of Hogwarts who defended and healed students at great personal risk. Poppy Pomfrey, Ponoma Sprout, Filius Flitwick, Horace Slughorn and Minerva McGonagall.'

There was great applause for the Hogwarts staff as they rose to platform. They each received their medals and stood in line next to Ginny, Luna and Neville.

'The next two are unfortunately posthumous, both of them died in the final battle. The first man fought for a world who had turned its back on him. Also, at great personal risk, he sought to gain the support of those who were equally as shunned as he was. I award the Order of Merlin Second Class to Remus Lupin.'

A loud cheer sounded through the group, many here knew what a great man he was. Harry and a few others were even off their seats.

'Our second posthumous award is to a man who not only spied on Voldemort's inner circle but managed to infiltrate it. He played his role perfectly even when asked to perform the most horrendous task of aiding in the assisted suicide of his mentor. I award the Order Of Merlin First Class to Severus Snape.'

This brought a gasp from the crowd. Snape's true role during the war had been revealed, however, it seemed that many hadn't believed it. Only Harry, Ron, Hermione and the remaining order members clapped his name.

'One day you will all realise what he truly did for you all.' Said Kingsley, clearly unsatisfied at the reception Snape's award received. If not at all surprised.

'Now we come to two people who have been fighting against Voldemort since they were eleven years old. They never should have had to fight this war so young, however, that has never deterred them. I award the Order of Merlin First Class to Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley!'

Harry stood to embrace his two best friends, after they too were engulfed by Molly, as the noise level became almost unbearable Harry was sure the roar for his two friends could have been heard in Hogsmeade. The two clasped hands and received their medals together.

Once the noise died down Kingsley spoke again 'Now there is one final award to give out. Albus Dumbledore will go down as the greatest wizard of his age, maybe even ever. However, when it came down to it. His final words to me, were simple ones "Harry is the best hope we have, trust him." Truer words were never spoken, I award the Order of Merlin First Class to Harry Potter!'

The noise was astronomical, after extracting himself from Molly's bone crushing hug, Harry saw the majority of people shoot sparks from their wands as they cheered. When he received his medal he smiled falsely and said quietly 'Thanks Kingsley.'

To which the old Auror beamed 'No Harry, thank you.'

A couple of hours later the guests were all in the Great Hall enjoying a great feast the House Elves of Hogwarts had put on. As usual they had out done themselves, there was every type of food you could imagine.

There was one though who had quietly removed himself from the throng to sit alone by the lake deep in thought. Today had been a lot to take in, part of him wanted to hand his medal back, he didn't deserve it. However, he knew that he was stuck with it, so another part of him was demanding that everyone who fought in both wars received one. Which he knew would never happen.

'Hey' Said a voice from beside him.

'Hey' he said looking up.

'Do you mind if I sit?'

'Course not.' He said smiling, he grabbed her hand and pulled her onto his lap.

'Don't even think about giving that back.' She told him sternly as she snuggled into him. How does she always know what I'm thinking? 'That medal is something to be proud of. You should wear it with pride.'

'I know, it serves as a reminder of those we've lost.'

'Good, as you said, we need to remember them. The worlds a better place Harry, you should be proud of that, proud of them.'

'I am.'

They sat in silence for a while watching the sunset.

'The sunset's beautiful tonight.' Said Ginny after a while.

'Hmm, Hmm'

'What are you thinking?'

'About who I fought for. You?'

She turned around to look him in the eye 'The same.' She whispered as she pushed him onto his back and kissed him passionately.

The End

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