Note: I just wanted to say thank you for all the positive feedback and hope you like the next chapter :D
Harry listlessly walked through the battlefield, meandering around any rubble that blocked his path. Death and destruction was every corner, the bodies of the dead lay strewn across the land, members of both the light and dark, in death it didn't matter as their bodies were scattered together. To Harry it was near impossible to tell the difference. They had died and sure some death eaters were deserving but others had followed Voldemort in fear, never wanting to hurt anyone. It was the sight of the bodies, belonging to those he knew and were close to that made him breakdown. He dropped to his knees, struggling to get enough air into his lungs as his despair threatened to consume him. It wasn't fair! Why had so many innocent had to die for him to finally succeed? If only he had been stronger, maybe he could have stopped the dark lord sooner, sparing the lives that had been lost on that day.
"Harry," A raspy voice spoke.
His head whipped around as he tried to locate the source of the voice. Unsteadily he rose to his feet, gripping his wand tightly. There was no one around him, where had the voice come from?
"Harry what are you doing?" Hermione approached him, she'd left Ron to mourn with his family, knowing they needed to be together before she would offer her own support.
Harry took one last look at his surroundings before he was satisfied that no one else was in the area. He turned to face his friend, trying for a reassuring smile but it tuned out as a grimace.
"Nothing, just wanted to get away from everyone for a bit, I'm kinda feeling overwhelmed with everything," Harry told her.
Hermione nodded in understanding. "It's been one hell of a day hasn't it, even without your new appearance."
Harry frowned at that, he still hadn't a clue as to why he looked so different. He'd hardly even recognised himself in his own reflection but was thankful that his green eyes he had gotten from his mother remained. His once black hair was now blond, his face seemed more angular and his frame slightly more muscled but still wiry. He had grown to 5'8 which he was thankful for considering he'd been 5'3 and the shortest boy in his year previously, his short stature had always been somewhat of a sore subject. The treatment the Dursley's had given him had been to blame for his stunted growth.
"I don't suppose you know what happened or a way to turn me back?" Harry asked then considered. "Well the height can stay."
That earned him a fond smile and he was glad for it. They could both use some cheer after everything they had been through. Harry doubted he would ever be completely okay again, even then it was hard to keep it together.
"I can do some research but that can wait for another day, right now we both need to rest," She replied.
He gave her a tired smile and nodded. Together they made their way towards where the rest of the survivors were. His appearance would be a problem for another day. The war had been won and they didn't need anymore issues to solve for the moment. Neither noticed the coal black eyes that followed them.
