Chapter 2: Ceremony
Harry looked around anxiously. Where were they? The ceremony was about to begin. He felt alone and conspicuous sitting in the front row along with some of the most significant dignitaries of the wizarding world.
Ah, there they were, running out of the front door of the castle, hand in hand. They dropped holding hands as they reached the back row of chairs. They looked flustered as they strode briskly toward the front. When the cameras started flashing they both turned a bright shade of beetroot.
Harry was grinning from ear to ear when Hermione flopped down beside him, Ron on her other side.
"Can't wait till the next issue of Witch Weekly," said Harry. "I'm sure they caught every step of that entrance in full colour."
"Shut it, Harry," she said trying to look inconspicuous, still bright red. Harry looked up to see that Professor McGonagall had moved to the front. Behind her was a tall structure still under wraps, a permanent monument that would be dedicated today.
McGonagall raised her arms in a dramatic gesture and the chatter that had hovered over the gathering ceased.
"Welcome to the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We welcome the many foreign dignitaries who have joined us here today, including the Ministers of Magic of France, Germany, Spain, Australia and the United States." McGonagall spoke in a clear, powerful voice that, despite being outdoors, carried easily to the back rows. If she had used a Sonorus charm, she had done it wordlessly and without any obvious wand movement.
"We are gathered here today because exactly one year ago, at this place, a dreadful and desperate battle was fought, a battle that destroyed the putrid darkness that had fallen over Britain and cast its shadow around the world. We are here to remember the fallen who gave their lives to ensure the victory, and those too who risked their lives and won the victory. We are here to celebrate the return of the light and we are here to rededicate ourselves to ensuring the darkness never again returns. Let us begin."
McGonagall threw a silver ball high into the air and with a flourish of her wand transformed it into a large, brightly coloured bird that flew higher still and then, now hovering, begun to luminesce. A shimmering shaft of blue light shot from the bird toward the rear of the assembly.
Those attending twisted in their seats, their eyes following the shaft to where it rested on ten young students, lined up two by two, each using their wands to levitate one of ten large banners each banner representing one of the groups that fought in the battle. The young witches and wizards began a slow procession down the central aisle. The bright banners of The Order of the Phoenix and of the DA, floating high and proud led, the way. The DA banner featured two crossed wands and a spinning coin flashing the words "You are needed".
Next came the banners of the four houses of Hogwarts. After a small gap came a banner emblazoned with the crest of the town of Hogsmeade accompanied by another displaying a map of Britain representing all the other wizards and witches who streamed in from all over the country to take part in the second half of the Battle. Bringing up the rear were two special banners, one proudly featuring the house elves of Hogwarts and the other, acknowledging the centaurs and the other magical creatures who fought against the Death Eaters.
Hermione smiled at little Hope as she marched by, proudly keeping aloft the Hufflepuff banner. When they reached the front the banner carriers spread out in a line facing the assembly. The banners affixed themselves to posts already in place and the young students, now relieved of their burdens, relief plastered all over their faces, exited to the side.
"Were we ever that small?" Ron whispered to Hermione.
At a signal from McGonagall ten people rose from their seats and walked to the front, one standing under each banner.
"We will now read out the roll of honour, the names of those who gave their lives that we might live in the light," announced McGonagall.
Arthur Weasley spoke first. "We remember and honour the following members of the Order of the Phoenix: Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin"
Then Neville, resplendent in full Auror dress uniform and standing tall, took a step forward and spoke in a clear firm voice. "We remember and honour the following members of Dumbledore's army, known as the DA: Fred Weasley, Lavender Brown, Colin Creavey, Arianna Trigg, Herman Temple."
Every name was like a raw wound slashed into the gaunt quiet that had fallen on the assembled group. Harry felt a stab of pain as each name was read out. He was grateful when Hermione reached for his hand and squeezed it tight. He wished Ginny was also by his side, but she was now out front, reading the names of the two Gryffindors, not members of the DA, who had died.
The tension was palpable when it came the turn of Slytherin. There were many who had wanted to shut down the house, expunge it from the school forever, but tradition was strong at Hogwarts. It helped that, against orders from McGonagall, several Slytherin students had stayed behind and fought the Death Eaters. One had died, killed by his own Uncle. And, of course, there was the double agent.
Professor Slughorn used a Sonorus charm to strengthen his voice then began to read. "We remember and honour the following members of the House of Slytherin: Severus Snape, Daniel MacNair."
The Centaurs had chosen not to respond to the invitation to today's event and so Hagrid stood in for them. Nor could any house elf be persuaded to take a formal part in the ceremony. It was Luna who read out the name of the two house elves who had died in the battle, then she lowered the parchment and added one more name. "Mr Dobby, free elf."
When challenged later she stood her ground. "If it wasn't for Dobby, Hermione, Harry and Ron would have all died that dreadful night at Malfoy manor. There would have been no battle, no victory. What Dobby did was the first shot in this battle and he, the first casualty."
After the reading of the names, came the speeches. Harry found it hard to concentrate. The words were fine, but he had heard them too many times over the last year. He was embarrassed, also, at how often his name was mentioned but was happy that Ron and Hermione were not ignored, nor the many of the others who had been indispensable to the final victory.
Kingsley Shacklebolt was winding up, and Harry wasn't looking forward to what came next. Still, it could have been far worse.
"It is usual," Kingsley was saying, " for politicians like me, or some ageing dignitary, to cut the ribbon at events such as this, but I am sure you will all agree that there could be only one choice as to who should cut the ribbon today and dedicate this very special new monument. "I ask Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley to come forward and do the honours."
All three rose from their seats and walked the short distance to where Kingsley was standing. He embraced Hermione and then firmly shook Harry and Ron's hand.
The three took out their wands and then turned to the monument behind them, still concealed under a wrapping of blue satin tied with gold ribbons. "Diffindo" the cried in unison, cutting the ribbons. Flourishing their wands once more, the large satin sheet flew high in the air, spun and then disintegrated into a storm of purple confetti.
As the purple rain cleared the proud new monument emerged. From a cube of highly polished black onyx rose a circular shaft of pure white marble that shot fifteen meters into the air. Thirty one curved panels were affixed to the column in an upward spiral. Each panel contained an exquisitely carved bas relief depicting Voldemort's rise to power, his dreadful crimes and the struggle to bring him down. Seven panels near the top depicted scenes from the battle itself. The final scene, at the very top, achingly beautiful, heart wrenching, depicted the scene in the Great Hall at the end of the battle, the bodies of the fallen lined up, silent, unmoving.
On the front face of the onyx base were inscribed the words:
Let not evil arise,
Let not evil thrive,
Lest we forget,
Again,
Harry had been deeply affected when he had seen plans for the monument and was glad that it acknowledged the contribution of many people but he was still embarrassed at how many panels featured him. It could have been far worse. The original plan was for a statue of him defeating Voldemort. He had implacably vetoed it.
Harry found himself being drawn into the topmost panel, sinking again into the grief, the guilt and depression that had afflicted him in the immediate aftermath of the battle. It was Ginny, Hermione and Ron who had lifted him out of it then, just as, he hoped, he had helped them through their grief. It had taken them all a long time to heal.
Harry felt Ron place his hand on his shoulder and give him a squeeze. "I still think they should have gone with the statue of the three of us on dragon back," he said.
He saw Hermione smile and give Ron an affectionate punch in the shoulder. He felt a chuckle rise in his throat and realised he was smiling too. Trust Ron, to say just the right thing lift his spirits.
"Come on," said Harry, "let's get out of here before we get mobbed."
The ceremony had wound up and people were coming forward to inspect the monument. They slipped off to the side. Harry spotted Ginny chatting with Neville and Luna and headed briskly in her direction, Ron and Hermione following.
They greeted one another with affection.
"You are all going to have to take a close look at the monument, when the crowd dies down. We all appear on it at least once," said Ron.
"Really?" said Neville.
"There is a really dramatic scene of you slaying Nagini, Neville," said Hermione.
"I'm just glad my name is not written on the base. It's better being alive, don't you think" said Luna.
Everyone grimaced, but then Ron smiled. "Yes, Luna, I am very glad to be alive and I'm glad your name isn't on the base either, there are far too many names of people I care about written there already."
There was quiet for a while, then Ginny's eyes lit up. "Hermione," she said, taking a step closer to her friend. "I haven't seen you wear that before. It's gorgeous."
Hermione beamed. "It's lovely, isn't it?" she said, lifting the pendant of her neck to better display it. "Ron gave it to me this morning to mark today's anniversary. It's from him and Harry. Thank you, by the way, Harry. I haven't had the chance to say that yet, I love it."
"I'm glad you like it," said Harry smiling.
A dark shadow fell across Ginny's face. "Harry?" she said almost to herself. Her nostrils flared and then a forced smile appeared on he face. "It really is very nice, Hermione. Well, I have to go check on something." Ginny turned around and headed off towards the Quidditch pitch.
The group was silent for a little while, then Luna said "why is Ginny angry with you, Harry?"
Harry blushed, but then said, "I better go find out." He headed after Ginny.
He caught up with her on a rise, overlooking the Quidditch Pitch.
"Where are you going, Ginny?"
"I have to check our Quidditch equipment," she said continuing to walk.
"The seasons over. You've already won the cup."
Ginny suddenly twisted around and was face to face with Harry. "Do you really think so little of me," she spat out.
Harry reeled backwards. "I don't understand."
"Do you still see me as a child, Harry?" She ripped off the sterling silver bracelet she was wearing and hurled it onto the ground. "Do you think you have to bribe me like a little child so I won't get jealous if you give something to Hermione?"
Harry was speechless. "No, no, it's not like that." He said at last.
"Isn't it? Your lying, at least to yourself. I understand how much Hermione means to you, why you would want to give her something special on a day like today. I respect it. I am not threatened by it, but I'm hurt that you think I would be."
Harry felt sick in the stomach, he realised that what he had done was disrespectful of Ginny, that he had tried to manage her, but he had thought he was doing the right thing and wasn't quite ready to concede yet. "You fume for days if I even talk to Cho. Your like Ron with Victor Krum and with as little reason. I don't think of you as a child but you sure do act like one sometimes."
Ginny's eyed narrowed and her breathing became shallow. Harry could feel the anger radiating from her.
"Cho was your girlfriend, it's not the same as Hermione."
"Cho was never my girlfriend, but your right it's not the same. I don't love Cho."
"Now you're trying to provoke me."
"I'm not trying to provoke you."
"Good, then maybe you can answer one simple question. If you don't think of me as a child, why haven't you asked me to move in with you at Grimmauld place when I leave school in a few weeks? I know Ron's asked Hermione, so why haven't you asked me. Either you don't really love me as you say you do, or you still think I'm a child. Which is it?"
Ginny stood hand on hips, waiting for an answer, but Harry could find no words to speak. He just stared at Ginny, mouth agape.
"When you have an answer, send me an owl." Ginny turned on her heels and headed back to the castle.