Chapter Two – Memorial
There was no other way to put it - he was a nervous wreck. Harry had been asked – well, now that he thought about it – he'd been told that he would be giving the closing speech at the memorial service. He had spent the last two evenings writing and re-writing his speech, and even now, he still felt that it in no way was adequate for expressing what he was feeling. As eleven o'clock approached, he had begun pacing anxiously in the Gryffindor Common Room, having been ready for more than an hour.
Ginny came in from the girls dormitory, and Harry forgot about everything as he looked at his girlfriend. She was beautiful. Her hair was done up in a way that had it cascading over one shoulder, and she glowed as he stared, his mouth falling open. With great effort, he closed his mouth, walked over, and putting his arms around her waist, hugged her tightly.
"This might be totally inappropriate, considering the occasion, but wow!" he whispered in her ear. She laughed softly, and smiled up at him.
"Are you ready to go? We need to get there a bit early to go over what we're supposed to do with the master of ceremony."
"I guess so," Harry answered, taking her hand. "Let's go."
As they walked outside through the newly repaired front entrance, Harry noticed for the first time that it was a beautiful day, with a clear blue sky. The sun sparkled across the surface of the lake, making it shimmer. His steps faltered when he saw the rows of biers, where the bodies of the people who had died only three days ago now lay. Ginny let go of his hand and put her arm around him, giving him a gentle squeeze of reassurance. Many people were already being seated, and they also saw that sections had been made to accommodate the other magical creatures that would be attending.
Ginny pointed out a group of centaurs on one side, and beside them, there were rows of smaller chairs set up where house elves were being seated. The Hogwarts ghosts were floating, mingling with other guests. After receiving his instructions, Harry and Ginny were seated near the front, behind the row reserved for Hogwarts professors. They waved across the aisle at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who were seated next to Percy in the section reserved for Ministry of Magic officials. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna take seats behind them. Hermione gave him an encouraging smile and squeezed his shoulder before sitting down with the others.
When everyone was seated, soft music began to play, and a few moments later, the old wizard master of ceremonies led a procession down the aisle. He was followed by all of the Hogwarts Professors, who filed into the row in front of Harry and Ginny, and the Ministry of Magic senior officials, lead by Kingsley Shacklebolt, who were seated in the front row across the aisle from the Professors. The master of ceremonies stepped up on a platform at the front, and a quiet fell over the crowd.
"We are here today to honour and remember those who have lost their lives in the final battle. Professor McGonagall will begin our service by reading the names of the fallen. Please take the time to remember and thank these people for their ultimate sacrifices."
Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium, and clearing her throat, began to slowly read through the long list. Harry did not remember every name, in fact, he didn't even know many of them.
He did, however, close his eyes, and holding Ginny's hand, remembered. He thought about Remus and Tonks, so recently becoming new parents, now leaving another baby without a father or mother. Harry silently pledged to them that he would be the best Godfather he could be for Teddy. He thought about Fred Weasley, and how he had lived and breathed fun and happiness, thinking he'd like to make time to put more of that into his own life.
As each name was read, he could hear soft crying all around him. He thought about Colin, and other students that he knew had died in the fighting. As the last name on the list, Fred Weasley was called out, Ginny finally gave in to the tears, and Harry wrapped an arm around her, and she cried quietly into his shoulder. Professor McGonagall stepped down, and Kingsley Shacklebolt walked to the front.
"The Ministry of Magic, and indeed the entire Wizarding World owe an un-repayable debt to everyone who fought here at the Battle of Hogwarts," he told the assembled mourners. "We especially need to honour each person laid out here. With so many lives lost, we won't be able to recite each person's accomplishments, great and small here but will leave that for each family's private ceremonies being held later today. I would, however, like to invite everyone who wishes to come up and have a moment with their loved ones to come and do so now."
With that said, he turned and walked over to stand beside the biers holding Remus, Tonks, and Fred, bowing his head. Others began to rise and walk to stand near friends or family. Harry and Ginny, along with Ron and Hermione, followed Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Percy, Bill, Fleur, and Charlie over beside Kingsley. Harry hugged Ginny close for a moment, and then released her and began to walk around past the other biers. He stopped for a moment, putting a hand on Neville's shoulder, who stood with Luna near Colin Creevey. He moved beside Colin's parents and brother, hugging Dennis.
"Colin was one of the bravest Gryffindors I know," Harry told them quietly as he concentrated on Dennis' tear-streaked face. "He was my friend, and stood by me, and for Hogwarts right to the end. I'm going to miss him very much."
Dennis nodded, and hugged him again. Harry moved to continue along the row, and then noticed that there was just one bier that nobody stopped to see. He walked over, and saw that it was where Professor Snape was laid, and he stood there for several minutes, not even sure what he was feeling.
"All these years I believed I hated you," he finally whispered. "It seems Dumbledore was right about both of us after all. I'm not sure how many people will ever believe or appreciate the sacrifices you made, but I promise that I always will." Harry smiled. "I'm not quite sure how I feel about you being in love with my mum, but I sure can't blame you for feeling that way about her. Giving me your memories of her, though, is a gift I can never thank you enough for." He turned as he heard someone approach, and nodded to Professor McGonagall.
"I understand how you're feeling about Severus," she told him when she was standing next to him. "You weren't the only one who didn't completely understand some of the choices that Albus made in whom he placed so much trust." She looked pointedly at Harry and smiled. Harry smiled back.
"I only wish I had learned what he was really like, and what he was doing. By the time that I found out, it was already too late, and it's too bad that I didn't really understand him at all. Maybe things could have been different for both of us if I had."
Professor McGonagall patted his arm, and they turned together to head back toward where the Weasleys still stood. Taking Ginny's hand again, he stood with his family until it was time to move back to their seats. The master of ceremonies again stood at the podium.
"I now have the distinct honour of presenting our final speaker. Since he really needs no introduction, please welcome Harry Potter." Harry's stomach lurched as the crowd began a muted applause. At first the Weasleys, then others, began to stand. He felt lost for a moment, but then Ginny pulled him to his feet, and looking into her eyes, he was suddenly calm, and knew he could do this. With one squeeze of her hand, Harry stepped out into the aisle, walked up to the podium, and waited for everyone to again take his or her seat. Harry looked out across the crowd, and with another reassuring look from Ginny, began.
"Minister Shacklebolt, members of the Ministry of Magic, Professors of Hogwarts, students, family and friends," He said before pausing to organize his thoughts. "When I was asked to speak at this memorial," he continued with a wry smile, "after I got over the panic" – he had to wait again as soft laughter rippled through the crowd – "I began to think about how I could find words that would comfort everyone here who, like me, have lost so much." He looked around again.
"Every person who went against Lord Voldemort was willing to fight, and yes, to die if necessary. What were we fighting for?" He swept an arm around, pointing to the biers behind him. "What did they die for?" Every eye was on him, and he continued. "I can't speak for everyone, but I was fighting for love." He smiled at Ginny.
"I was fighting to stop a man - and make no mistake, Tom Riddle was just a very twisted, evil man - from creating a world where there was no love at all. I was fighting for people like Fred Weasley, who brought joy and laughter that is so necessary in this world. I was fighting for my friends Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, who only wanted the chance to love each other for who they were, and not worry about what they were. I was fighting for Colin Creevey, who faced every day bravely, believing everything could be good, and making those of us around him want to believe that too."
He looked over to where the Weasleys were sitting, then across to Ron and Hermione, and finally looked at, and stayed focused on Ginny.
"And lastly, I was fighting for the family and friends that I love, hoping that even if I died, that they could live and love in peace after I was gone." Harry stopped and closed his eyes for a moment. He could again hear people softly crying throughout the crowd, and he took a deep breath before opening his eyes and continuing.
"I don't know everyone who died in this war. The ones I did know would want you to know this one thing - Love is the greatest magic there is. Don't remember us with sadness. Remember us by living happy lives, filled with love." He looked around one last time. "I plan on doing just that so they'll know their sacrifices were worthwhile."
With that, Harry stepped down, and walked back to where Ginny stood to welcome him back. They embraced, and he smiled and gave her a short soft kiss. When they were seated, the master of ceremonies stood up to the podium again.
"It is the ultimate mystery, the final journey to the light from which no one returns. We can rest assured that each of the dearly loved ones we've lost have reached their destination, and are surrounded in the eternal love, waiting until they see us again when the time comes for us to join them."
When he stepped away from the podium again, the centaurs sent their salute of arrows across the castle grounds. The master of ceremonies led the recessional, followed by the Ministry and Hogwarts dignitaries. Mrs. Weasley stopped on her way past, giving Harry a big hug, and there were tears in her eyes. Harry stayed with Ginny, Ron, and Hermione near the front. When the rest of the family was ready to leave, they'd be heading first to the Tonks home, where they'd be holding a private service for Remus and Tonks. Andromeda would meet them there, where she had stayed with baby Teddy. Neville and Luna came up to them.
"We're leaving with Gran now." Neville said. "Will you all be heading to the Burrow today?"
"Yeah, we'll be staying there until we find out what'll happen with Hogwarts and everything," Ron answered.
"We'll see you around, then," Neville promised, shaking Ron and Harry's hands. He and Luna both gave Ginny and Hermione hugs, and Luna hugged Ron and Harry too. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley returned as Neville and Luna left.
"Ready to get going?" Mr. Weasley asked them. "We'll head over to the Tonks by floo."
When they had all gathered at the Tonks house, Andromeda met them, and introduced them to Teddy Lupin. The girls mostly passed the baby around, but eventually, it was Harry's turn, and he held Teddy with trembling hands.
"Hey, Teddy. Nice to finally meet you," Harry told the little boy softly. "I'm kinda new at this Godfather business, but I guess you're new at the Godson thing too. We'll just have to learn all about it together." He smiled at Andromeda, as he handed the infant back to her.
They all went outside then and walked the short distance to the local cemetery. Remus and Tonks had already been brought from Hogwarts. They had been placed in caskets, ready to be interred. Mr. Weasley spoke, talking directly to his friends Remus and Dora.
"I miss you both so much. Andromeda has lost a daughter and son-in-law. Teddy's lost his mum and dad, before even getting to know you. The rest of us have lost two of our dearest friends." He paused, wiping tears from his face. "You finally found love together, and while it was for such a short time here with us, it'll be forever in the light."
They all watched with tear-filled eyes as the two were laid in the ground next to Ted Tonks. Once that was done, they returned to the house with Andromeda and Teddy, staying for only a short while to visit before heading home. When they left, everyone apparated to the Burrow. Mr. Weasley sent a message to Percy, and he arrived shortly after. Once they were all together again, they left the Burrow again, and went to the cemetery on the outskirts of town. As they gathered around Fred's casket, Harry stood behind Ginny, his arms wrapped around her. Mr. Weasley was about to speak when George laid a hand on his father's shoulder, and stepped forward.
"Hey, Fred," George said, as if his brother was standing right there with them. "You always had to do everything first, didn't you." He smiled sadly. "If you were here, I know you'd be laughing right now, telling us to 'lighten up'. Get it? 'Lighten up'!" George laughed quietly, while everyone smiled. "I know, I know. I'll be 'earing about that one for years," he continued. "I snuck a box of our best tricks to go with you, mate. Everyone there will have a lot more fun now that you're with them." He walked over and put an arm around Mrs. Weasley. "We're gonna miss you, Fred. Thanks for making life so much fun while you were here."