Restarting the Heart
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter world, which belongs to none other than J.K. Rowling.
***Most quotes are from Deathly Hallows and the start of this follows her story, the first two chapters so don't read unless you've read Deathly Hallows***
Ginny Weasley felt empty. Her whole world had just been taken from her. All she could do was scream, as she ran towards the forest, minutely aware of the crowd that where behind her and the two people who stood beside her. She slowed as she reached the edge of the forest, spotting the body lying in Hagrid's arms. Realisation hit her like a tidal wave, it really was him. He was dead. As her screams faded she became aware of the noise coming from behind her, as the rest of the crowd shouted abuse against Voldemort and support for their army.
"SILENCE!" cried Voldemort, silencing us all with a bang and a flash of bright light. "It is over! Set him down, Hagrid, at my feet, where he belongs!" Ginny watched as Hagrid lay Harry's body down on the ground. It was then, as she lurched forward, that she realised someone had their arms around her and were trying to comfort her.
"Sshhhh Gin, it's alright. It's ok. You're ok. Calm down." She heard Bill's voice, trying to comfort her, but she was only half listening, her eyes fixed on the body which lag in front of them. She felt herself take in sharp breaths of air, continuing to whisper Harry's name and wondering how she was not crying.
"You see?" exclaimed Voldemort, as he began to stride back and forth in front of Harry, blocking Ginny's view. "Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now deluded ones? He was nothing, ever, but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!"
"He beat you!" She heard Ron yell, as the silencing charm broke and the whole crowd gathered began to shout and scream, until another loud bang and a flash of light silenced them all once more.
"He was killed while trying to sneak out of the castle grounds", sneered Voldemort and Ginny could not believe what she was hearing. At once she knew it was a lie, that just wasn't Harry. He would never do that to them, especially not in the middle of a war. She knew he just wouldn't walk out on them. "Killed while trying to save himself-" continued Voldemort, until he broke off as a figure emerged from the crowd. It was Neville. Ginny watched as he fell to the ground, disarmed and heard Voldemort laugh at him, lying there. It was more of a cackle than a laugh; it was a cold sound, no emotion or feeling behind it.
"And who is this? Who has volunteered to demonstrate what happens to those who continue to fight when the battle is lost?" said Voldemort. Ginny would have laughed at these words, if she could have found her voice, because Voldemort had the contempt to think that just because Harry had died he had won. She knew he hadn't though; she knew that no matter what, everyone would keep fighting.
She heard another cackle of a laugh, this time more forced; it was a madwoman's laugh. Sure enough it was Bellatrix Lestrange who cried out in her girly, high-pitched voice, "It is Neville Longbottom, my Lord! The boy who has been giving the Carrows so much trouble! The son of the Aurors, remember?"
"Ah yes, I remember," said Voldemort, as Ginny tore her eyes from Harry to watch the scene unfolding before them. Neville was struggling to get to his feet, and found himself standing unarmed and unprotected between the defenders and attackers. "But you are a pureblood, aren't you, my brave boy?" he asked, a curious look on his face.
"So what if I am?" cried Neville. Ginny admired how he had the courage to stand up to Voldemort and how his voice never broke; Harry would have been proud she thought a lump forming in her throat.
"You show spirit, and bravery, and you come of noble stock," observed Voldemort, "You will make a very valuable Death Eater. We need your kind, Neville Longbottom."
"I'll join you when hell freezes over," cried Neville, "Dumbledore's Army!" A loud cheer went through the group and the silencing charms no longer seemed to have any effect on them.
"Very well," said Voldemort, his voice a deadly silky tone, "If that is your choice, Longbottom, we revert to the original plan. On your head be it." She watched as Voldemort waved his wand, she heard a window shatter and when she looked back to him Voldemort was holding a crumpled black object in his hand; the Sorting Hat.
"There will be no more Sorting at Hogwarts School," proclaimed Voldemort, "There will be no more houses. The emblem, shield and colours of my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin, will suffice for everyone, won't they, Neville Longbottom?" He pointed his wand at Neville, who was forced to stand up straight, as Voldemort forced the Sorting Hat onto his head. "Neville here is now going to demonstrate what happens to anyone foolish enough to continue to oppose me," called Voldemort and with a flick of his wrist, the Sorting Hat burst into flames.
From then on Ginny felt like she was in a daze. Several things happened at once: Firstly, great masses of people came storming over the out-of-sight walls, causing much cheering from the defending army and uproar from the opposition. Secondly, Grawp came lumbering round the side of the castle, agitating Voldemort's giants who hollered and bellowed at Grawp. Ginny took one more look at Harry's body where it lay, before turning towards the forest to the sound of hooves; the centaurs had decided to come to help. Thirdly, Neville broke free of the curses holding him there and in one swift motion pulled a large silver blade from the Sorting Hat. Just as the Death Eaters broke free and began to run at the defenders, Neville whirled around and in one quick slice, beheaded Voldemort's snake.
Over all the commotion, Ginny heard one voice over the crowd; Hagrid was crying out, "HARRY! HARRY! WHERE'S HARRY?" The pain she felt as these words registered with her almost made her stop and break down, there and then. If it hadn't been for the crowd pushing her back into the school and Bill's hold on her shoulder, she would have. But she knew she couldn't, there was a war in progress and the best thing she could do right now was fight; fight for her cause, to stop Voldemort, to stop the suffering he was causing and for Harry. That was the main reason she kept fighting, because Harry would have and he would have wanted her to too.
Not sure how often I'll be able to upload, possibly once a week, maybe more, depending on how much free writing time I get. Reviews are always appreciated, but I'm not going to be pushy or beg for them.