Disclaimer: Harry Potter is NOT mine! I don't own any part of JK Rowling's masterpiece, just some copies of the books and films. I am just having some fun in JK Rowling's amazing and wonderful sand box.
In the weeks that followed Hermione's return Harry saw a marketed improvement in Hermione's attitude. She spent more and more time with Harry, Andi and Teddy, and less time obsessing over the time travel ritual. The Weasleys also came by Grimmauld Place, which brought smiles to Harry and Hermione's faces, and new people for Teddy to imitate. Molly broke down when she was handed Teddy after the baby morphed into a twin of Fred when he was a baby. Andi quickly stepped forward to take Teddy from Molly but the Weasley mother just waved Andi off and sat down in a nearby chair and began playing peek-a-boo with Teddy.
"It's something she did will all the children," Mr. Weasley said thickly. Harry wiped away a couple of stray tears as he watched Molly play with a squealing Teddy.
"Hello Harry," a soft voice said from behind Harry. Harry flinched before turning around.
"Hello Ginny," Harry said.
Ginny Weasley was wearing a fetching outfit of a cream colored sweater and a pair of blue jeans. She looked much better than the last time Harry had seen her, at Ron and Fred's funeral.
"How are you doing Ginny?" Harry asked, wincing at how awkward he sounded.
"As well as I can be I suppose," Ginny shrugged, "It's weird to not be able to use magic after being surrounded by it all my life. The tremors and shaking have eased enough now that I can eat by myself."
"Ginny, I am so sorry," Harry said. "This is all my…"
"Harry, this is not your fault!" Ginny snapped. "It is Bellatrix's fault, and a bit of my own. I didn't take Bellatrix seriously enough, and I paid the price for it."
"Ginny, you shouldn't blame yourself for what the bitch did," Harry growled.
"If I can't blame myself, then you can't blame yourself Harry," Ginny said, putting her hand on Harry's cheek. "Got it?"
"Got it."
"Good, so what have you been doing since I last saw you?" she asked. Harry winced again, Ginny's tone was light but he could still feel the rebuke.
"I am sorry Ginny, I should have come and seen you," Harry said. "I got caught up with Teddy and Hermione, and a bunch of other stuff but that's no excuse. You are one of my friends, and you were hurt and I should have been there for you."
Ginny smiled at Harry's rambling apology. It was so Harry. "I understand Harry," she said. "You had a lot on your plate, recently, and I wasn't up for visitors."
"That's still no excuse for not seeing you Ginny," Harry argued.
"Harry, are we friends or more?" Ginny asked suddenly. "At Dumbledore's funeral, you said we couldn't be together because it wouldn't be safe. You-Know-Who is dead now, so…"
Harry sighed. He should have been expecting this from Ginny; he knew it wasn't fair to Ginny for him to keep stringing her along. But Harry also knew he wasn't ready for a relationship, even if it was the continuing of a previous one.
"Ginny, I am sorry about not talking to you about our relationship," Harry began. "During the war, while me, Hermione and Ron were running around, searching for Voldemort's anchors, knowing that you were safe, or at least safer than we were, at Hogwarts kept me from losing. I wanted to get back to Hogwarts, to you and the others, and not have to worry about the war anymore."
"I sense a but coming," Ginny said.
Harry nodded. "Things have changed Ginny, I've changed, you've changed," he said. "I effectively died during the war."
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.
"When Voldemort used my blood to bring himself back, it created a link between us, and when he used the Killing Curse on me in the Forest, the spell didn't work properly. But I went to this limbo place, and things happened that changed me in ways I couldn't possibly explain. And Ginny, I just don't think I am ready to start, or restart, a relationship."
"When will you then Harry?" Ginny asked, "I waited for you for years! I waited for years just to gather up the courage to talk to you. I waited years to get you to see me as a girl, not as Ron's little sister, and I waited all lost year while you were with Ron and Hermione alone. I am done waiting Harry Potter."
Harry was stunned to see tears begin to well up in Ginny's brown eyes, she very rarely cried. "Ginny, I am sorry but I can't change how I feel," he said, "I don't want you to wait for me or for anyone."
"Fine," Ginny spat. "Just don't expect me to be there waiting for you to make up your mind." She then spun on her heel and stormed off, leaving Harry watching.
"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asked from behind him.
"I am not sure," Harry admitted, "I know that Ginny wanted to get back together, and for the most part I did too. I was looking forward to getting back together with her but then that desire has just vanished."
Hermione frowned. "Harry, you can't expect Ginny to understand what has happened unless you talk to her," she counseled.
"I know Hermione but you know how hard it is for me to talk about myself," Harry said. "The only person I am comfortable talking to about this stuff is you."
"Well that's because we have been friends for years Harry," Hermione said with a blush. "I am sure if you talk with Ginny, you will soon have the same type of relationship with her that you have with me."
"Hermione, why are you pushing me to get back together with Ginny?" Harry asked.
"I just want you to be happy," Hermione said.
"What if I am not happy with Ginny?" Harry asked. Hermione opened her mouth but didn't say anything. Just then Harry noticed Arthur standing off to the side, alone, watching the rest of the party.
"Um Mr. Weasley, do you have a moment?" Harry asked.
"Of course Harry, of course," Mr. Weasley said. "And Harry, call me Arthur, you certainly have earned that right."
Harry nodded and the two men stepped out of the sitting room and into a small office on the second floor.
"So Harry, what would you like to talk about?" Arthur asked.
"Mr…Arthur," Harry corrected himself at Mr. Weasley's look. "I have been hearing some things about the Ministry, some worrying rumors about policies changing and such. What can you tell me about them?"
"Ah Harry," Arthur said looking nervous. "I unfortunately cannot tell you much as I am still recovering from my injuries. Also there hasn't been much word coming down from the ICW members who now control the Ministry. If they are creating or adjusting policies, they are not telling me."
"But aren't you the most senior Ministry official from before war? Why wouldn't they tell you?"
"Because while I have been cleared for any wrongdoing or working with the Death Eaters, the ICW does not feel that the Ministry employees are completely trustworthy."
"What! How can they think that?" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry, you are young, if only in age," Arthur said. "But the British Ministry of Magic has been widely considered a cesspool of corruption and crime for decades, and anyone associated with it is to be treated with a cautious hand."
"That's not fair!"
"That is politics Harry," Arthur chuckled. "There is very little fairness in politics, in our world or in the muggle world. Now, what are some of these rumors you have been hearing?"
Harry hesitated. "I have heard a rumor that the Ministry is limiting the magic that people can use," he said. "Even Light magic like the Patronus Charm is being limited because the Ministry is afraid of witches and wizards being too powerful."
Arthur's face tightened. "Harry, I don't know where you heard such an outrageous rumor," he said. "But the Ministry is not looking to control what a person learns unless it is for their own good. You know, better than most, that the average witch or wizard only sees their magical abilities as a source of power, not a wondrous gift that they have been given. And power, no matter how noble the pursuit is, is a corrupting influence."
"So you think the Ministry should control what we learn and know?" Harry asked.
"It is a very delicate situation Harry," Arthur sighed. "The Ministry is very weak right now, even though everyone is looking to the Ministry to lead them, protect them."
"It can do that without controlling every aspect of their lives," Harry argued. "The Ministry is acting like Umbridge, just without the bigotry and hate."
"Now Harry, you don't know all the facts," Arthur reminded him. "These things take time, and patience. Let those who have years of experience deal with these issues."
Harry felt his heart sink. Hermione had been right; the Ministry was looking to take complete control of the wizarding world. And if Mr. Weasley was right, they would never give up that power.
"Harry, Harry, are you all right son?" Mr. Weasley asked, as Harry had fallen silent.
"Yes Mr. Weasley, I am fine," Harry said, his voice sounding hollow to his ears. "Thank you for clearing things up for me."
"Of course Harry, happy to help," Arthur said, "and it is Arthur."
"Right, thank you Arthur," Harry said. Arthur nodded and patted Harry on the shoulder before leaving the office and presumably returning to the sitting room. But Harry remained in the office, staring at the back of the man who had become like a father to him over the years, a man who had just told him that the Ministry was going to take complete control over the wizarding world, and that is was for the people's own good.
"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione asked, sticking her head into the office. "We were all wondering where you had gone off too. Harry?" Harry looked up. "Oh Harry, what's wrong?"
"You were right," Harry said in a low voice. "You were right about the Ministry. Ha, of course you were right, when have you ever been wrong?"
"Harry, what are you saying?" Hermione asked, stepping into the office and closing and locking the door.
"Hermione, you were right about the Ministry," Harry said, falling back into the chair behind the desk. "I just spoke with Mr. Weasley, and he just confirmed what you said about the Ministry. The Ministry is going to take complete control over the wizarding world, mainly because everyone is looking to the Ministry for answers, strength and protection."
Hermione walked around the desk and knelt next to Harry. "So what do you want to do?" she asked.
"How certain are you that the ritual will work?" Harry asked.
Hermione gasped. "I am reasonably certain that it will work," she said. "But the ritual is from your family's history, and I can't read the book."
"Then you will have to teach me Runes," Harry said, "The ritual is best performed on a night where magics is at its strongest."
"That means one of the solstices or one of the equinoxes," Hermione said.
Harry nodded. "The best time would be on the Summer Solstice," he said. "That gives you just under eight months to make me an expert in Ancient Runes, and for us to find all the ingredients we need. Otherwise we will need to wait a full year to try the ritual again."
"We can make it Harry," Hermione said. He saw the fire in her eyes, a fire that he hadn't seen in over a year. They had decided on a plan, they were going back to stop the war from ever happening."
The change in both Harry and Hermione's attitude did not go unnoticed by their friends and family. The pair had sequestered themselves in the library at Grimmauld Place, barely leaving it unless dragged out by Andi or Mrs. Weasley. The two older women and Mr. Weasley all tried to get Harry and Hermione to open on what they were working on but the pair would only say that Hermione was tutoring Harry in Ancient Runes in hopes of getting Harry to take an OWL in Runes. When Andi and Mrs. Weasley heard about this, they both offered their help, along with Bill but their assistance was refused, as Harry wanted to do as much as he could on his own, and Hermione was help enough.
During Harry's lessons, he and Hermione quickly discovered that Harry had a talent for Runes. He seemed to instinctively know which Runes would work well together, and which wouldn't. Harry had read in the Potter family histories that something similar happened to all Potters, though usually it was only one skill that the Potter found exceptional success in. With Harry, it was three skills: flying, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Runes.
Harry wasn't a savant or anything regarding Runes, or even as good as Hermione was with them but they came as easily to him as flying or Defense. Hermione wondered why Harry had never thought of taking Runes instead of Divination in third year, and Harry confessed that he had signed up for the same classes as Ron did so that Ron wouldn't be alone. Hermione gave Harry a small smile and told him he was a good friend.
In order to gather the ingredients needed for the ritual, Harry used both Kreacher and Winky to purchase them. Kreacher had plenty of experience purchasing unusual things from possibly unsavory supplies while Winky bought things from more reputable providers.
News from the Ministry was becoming increasingly scarce, which made Harry and Hermione work even harder on preparing for the ritual. The major news that they had gleamed from rumors and reading between the lines of the Daily Prophet was that Hogwarts would open on September 1st, of 1999, and that those whose last year had been interrupted were expected to return on September first. Both Harry and Hermione knew that the Ministry was making attendance compulsory, just like Voldemort had done.
Harry and Hermione had obviously kept their plans secret from everyone, including their closest friends. They knew that Neville and Luna would want to come along but the ritual was only safe for two people, safe being a relative term. There was still a very large risk involved in the ritual for two people. Harry had discovered that the ritual was powered by the ingredients, the timing, the natural magic of the sight they would use and the participants' own magic. Neville and Luna, while powerful in their own right, were not strong enough. Hermione was probably the strongest witch in Britain while Harry was most certainly the strongest wizard or witch in Britain. Of course that only meant in terms of magical potential, not in amount of spells known or mastered.
Ginny couldn't go through the ritual due to the injuries she suffered during the Battle. She had progressed well in her recovery but she couldn't perform magic or even access her magical core without suffering immense pain. Also, Hermione and Harry were afraid that none of their friends would agree to go through with the ritual as well, believing that messing with time could make things even worse than they already were.
In preparation of performing the ritual, and accepting the possibility that it could fail, Harry went to Gringotts to create a Will, and named Teddy as the next Head of House Black with Andromeda named as Regent until Teddy came of age. He also named George as his next of kin for the Potter family, knowing that George wouldn't inherit much from the Weasley family, being the fourth son and the youngest surviving son.
Hermione, being the only child of her parents, had sold her childhood home and her parents' share of their practice, and had then transferred the sum to Gringotts, creating a scholarship fund for muggleborn children to attend Hogwarts. She stipulated in the contract with the goblins that the money would be spilt between all the muggleborns that were accepted at Hogwarts, and she left a list of books that would be helpful for their transition to the wizarding world.
"Ok Harry, are you sure you want to go through with this?" Hermione asked. "There a chance we will never see all these people again."
"Hermione, we have to act like nothing is wrong," Harry said. "No one knows we are doing and we need to keep it that way. And that means going about our business as usual, which means having our friends and family over for Christmas."
Hermione sighed. "And what about that Yule/Remembrance Ball the Ministry is hosting on Christmas Eve?" she asked. "The Ministry is going to expect the two surviving heroes of the Battle of Hogwarts. We are to be their crown jewel of the evening."
"Attendance is demanded then?" Harry asked.
"Not demanded but expected," Hermione answered with a rye smile. "They want us to remind and assure the people that they have everything under control."
"They want us to be their poster children then?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded. "And I guess that everyone else will be there, expecting us." She nodded again. "I suppose we will have to attend. You know that if we don't, they are going to come after us."
"They probably will," Hermione answered. "I guess I will have to find a dress. And you will need some new dress robes."
"Hermione, what if I wore a suit instead of dress robes?" Harry asked.
Hermione blinked. "I think that would get the Ministry's dander up," she grinned, "I like it. We can go shopping for a suit and my dress this weekend."
December 23rd, 1998
Number 12 Grimmauld Place
London, England
"Are you ready to go Hermione?" Harry asked, adjusting the cuffs of his jacket.
"Yes," Hermione answered from the top of the stairs. Harry looked up and felt his breath catch in his chest.
"Wow Hermione, you look…amazing," Harry said, his brain finally caught up with the vision before him. A light blush graced Hermione's cheeks as she descended the stairs, wearing a dark blue version of her Yule Ball dress, though with less ruffles. The fabric shimmered and shone in the gas lit lamp light, making the fabric look like the night sky.
"Thank you Harry," Hermione said when she reached the bottom of the stairs. "You look quite dashing yourself."
"Well I had the perfect person to help me pick out my suit with me," Harry chuckled. Hermione reached up and straightened Harry's tie and stepped back to admire the gray Burberry suit, tailored to fit Harry's wiry frame like a glove. Behind Harry, Hermione saw a hazy image of Ron grinning at her like a sap, dressed in his own suit.
"Are you all right Hermione?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head, Ron's image fading away like a mirage.
"I am fine Harry," Hermione said, brushing away Harry's concerns. "I just had something in my eye."
"Oh all right," Harry said, though he didn't believe her. "Shall we go then?"
"Yes let's," Hermione said after conjuring a tissue and dabbing at her eyes to dry them. The pair said their goodbyes to Andromeda, who was staying home to watch Teddy, and left for the Ministry through the Floo.
"Welcome Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger," the attendant said. "May I take your cloaks…" the man trailed off, noticing that neither Harry nor Hermione wore any cloaks over their attire.
"That's quite all right," Harry said with a small smile to the man. Hermione stifled a giggle as she and Harry walked past the stunned wizard. Together they attempted to slip into the Atrium, aiming to enter without the fanfare that they knew would be thrust upon them. But they were unsuccessful.
"Ah Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger! You've arrived," Octavian Weatherspoon's voice boomed out across the crowded Atrium, drawing all attention to Harry and Hermione.
"Minister Weatherspoon, good evening," Harry said with a wooden smile.
"Happy Christmas Mr. Potter," Weatherspoon said. "Ms. Granger, you look lovely."
"Thank you Minister," Hermione said with a slight curtsey.
"We are so glad you could make this evening's festivities," Weatherspoon said. "The two conquering heroes of the Battle, the people need to see their heroes, to see that everything is returning to normal."
"Agreed Minister," Harry said, his smile growing more and more forced. "If you would excuse us Minister, we just saw several of our friends."
"Of course Mr. Potter," Weatherspoon said. "Enjoy your evening Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. Oh Mr. Potter, before this evening is done I would like to speak with you, if that is acceptable?"
"Of course Minister," Harry said. "I am sure we will have time to speak together."
The Minister nodded before he and the other two ICW members walked off. Harry and Hermione watched as the three ICW members made their way through the crowd, stopping and speaking with a few attendees until neither Harry nor Hermione could spot them.
"Come on Harry," Hermione urged, gently pulling on Harry's arm. He relented and let Hermione lead him over to the refreshment table where Neville, Luna, George and the other Weasleys, except for Mrs. Weasley and Ginny, were huddled around.
"Hello Harry, Hermione," Luna said as the two approached. "That's quite an interesting choice of attire Harry, no robes?"
Harry shrugged. "I didn't see the point," he said.
"The point is that robes are a wizarding culture," Neville said. "And you are disrespecting your culture and heritage."
"Considering I have spent the majority of my life in the muggle world, I think I can be excused of not knowing a lot about wizarding culture," Harry said. "I do think most of the lessons I did get about the culture of the wizarding world were about how purebloods were better than all others while muggleborns and muggles were less than dirt."
"That's not what I meant Harry," Neville said. "Not all purebloods are like that, I am not like that."
"Then why did you attack Harry for not wearing robes?" Hermione asked sharply. Neville winced at the harsh tone that Hermione was directing at him, she was the most intimidating witch he knew, even more than his grandmother or Professor McGonagall. "We fought a war to bring this world closer together, not drive it apart."
"Neville, I am sorry for biting your head off but I am sick and tired of having to conform with this world's idea of me, when this world abandoned me on a doorstep when I was just one year old. I am my own person, and if that means ignoring some silly traditions whose only purpose is for tradition's sake, so be it."
Several people around the table, shamelessly eavesdropping were stunned at Harry's apparent refusal to embrace his heritage and family's rights.
"My entire life I have been propped up as the great hero who vanquished Voldemort since my parents were killed," Harry said. "And yet I was abandoned on the front porch of my relatives' house before my parents' bodies were even cold. The world that lauded me as this great hero never once tried to write or find me, and what's even worse they got it all wrong. I wasn't the one who defeated Voldemort in the first place; it was my mother, and my father. Their selfless sacrifice caused Voldemort's curse to be defeated, yet they are never talked about? Why is that? It can't be because my mother was a muggleborn, who like my best friend, routinely bested any pureblood or half-blood at Hogwarts, or because my father, a pureblood married a muggleborn instead of another pureblood or half-blood? So why are their contributions omitted from the history books while a fifteen-month old toddler is hailed as the savior of the wizarding world?"
The eavesdropping crowd had expanded from just around the refreshment table to roughly half the Atrium as Harry's voice rose.
"Harry, that's not true," Neville said.
"Is it really?" Harry asked, his tone biting. "Then why are all the books about that Halloween only talk about me? I have read all that I an about the accounts of that night, and they all say is that my father died first then my mother before Voldemort turned his wand on me. So tell me Neville, why shouldn't I wonder why my parents are forgotten?"
"They are not forgotten Harry," Arthur said. "There is a memorial in Godric's Hollow, and as long as we do not forget their sacrifice, they will always be remembered."
"I have seen that memorial Mr. Weasley," Harry said. "I just want to know why no one told me about it. I have only been to my parents' graves once; I didn't even know where they were buried until this year. And yet at the house, there were messages left for me. So everyone but me, their own son, knew where they were buried. Can you explain that?"
Arthur bowed his head in shame while several others did the same. Some of the attendees had traveled to Godric's Hollow and the memorial to pay their respects to the Potters, and to Harry, but they had never thought that Harry wouldn't know about the memorial at all.
"What is going on here?" Weatherspoon asked. The group turned and saw the three ICW representatives walked toward the group. Behind them was a squad of Aurors, scanning the crowd with their hands near their wands.
"Just a misunderstanding Minister," Mr. Weasley said. "Tempers grew a little heated after a few drinks, nothing to worry about sir."
"I see," Weatherspoon said. Harry noticed the man's eyes scan over the group, lingering slightly over Harry, and Harry though he saw a flicker of distaste in Weatherspoon's eyes at Harry's attire. When Weatherspoon's eyes returned to Harry, his gaze was met by Harry's emerald stare, the gaze of a young man who defeated the Dark Lord in single combat. "Well then perhaps, we should move this evening along. The time has come for the main event of the evening."
Harry and Hermione glanced at one another as the three ICW members turned and walked up to the podium that was set up at the front of the Atrium. In the back of Harry's mind, a hazy image of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle overlaid itself over the three politicians.
"Good evening honored guests and heroes," Weatherspoon said, his voice echoing all around the Atrium. "I thank you all for coming this evening as we remember all those who lost their lives in the troubles that plagued this great country in recent years. But I am here to tell you all that things are changing, no longer will our world be threatened by those who claim they are better by dint of ancestry or blood."
The crowd applauded, Harry and Hermione following along. Though it wasn't extremely enthusiastic.
"My co-workers and I are very happy to announce that the British Ministry of Magic is steadily rising to the standards demanded of all Ministries around the world by the ICW," Weatherspoon said. "We shall be opening up the Ministry for any and all who wish to work for the betterment of this country in the next few weeks. It is ours', and the ICW, sincere hope that the Ministry will quickly become the pinnacle of our world. And to always remember those who gave their lives for this new chance of a better and safer world, we unveil this memorial that shall stand as a solemn reminder of what we all have lost, and so that we never forget."
With a wave of his wand, Weatherspoon caused a black curtain to vanish revealing a black stone strip of wall with glittering golden letters that covered much of that wall.
"On this memorial is listed every single witch or wizard whose life was cut short due to the Dark Lord and his quest for power," Weatherspoon said. "With this memorial, we ensure that we will never forget the price that was paid for the freedom we now enjoy."
The Atrium burst into applause. This time Harry and Hermione joined in, as they thought that the memorial was a very touching gesture by the ICW.
"And now, Mr. Harry Potter and Ms. Hermione Granger would like to say a few words," Weatherspoon announced. Harry and Hermione were stunned, they had not been told that they were supposed to speak, and they weren't very happy with the decision.
"Let's get this over with," Hermione hissed as she led Harry up to the podium where a clapping Weatherspoon and his two ICW colleagues stood, smiling at Harry and Hermione.
"Thank you Minister," Hermione said, a false smile plastered on her face. She turned back to the crowd who were waiting on her word with bated breath. "Hello everyone, first off I want to thank you all for coming this evening. It is very heart-warming to see everyone here and honoring those who died in the struggle against Voldemort. And thank you Minister for this beautiful monument, I am sure that everyone will be reminded what the cost of our freedom was in the fight against the tyrannical and evil grip of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. We all suffered, we all lost someone close to us at their hands, and yet we will all grow stronger. Let this memorial stand for all time, to remind all those who come across it the price that was paid by so many to ensure the freedom we enjoy."
Hermione stepped back, applause echoing all around the Atrium. Harry gave Hermione a pleading look, he hated speaking in front of a group of people, he always felt like he was going stumble over his words but a stern look from Hermione told him that Harry was going to speak. Harry made his way up to the podium and looked out over the crowd.
"Good evening everyone," Harry said. "I didn't expect to be speaking like this tonight, so please forgive me for my words. I will echo Hermione's thanks to Minister Weatherspoon's monument; it is a wonderful memorial for all those who were killed in the war. This way they will never be forgotten, whether their names be Albus Dumbledore or Colin Creevey, pureblood, half-blood or muggleborn." There was a slight shift behind Harry but he ignored it. "Blood doesn't matter when it comes to magic, at least outside of blood-specific rituals or potions. You either have magic or you don't. Not many know this but Voldemort was not a pureblood as he claimed. He was in fact a half-blood. His father was a muggle, for whom he was named, and his mother was a witch." This was news to the vast majority of the crowd, and several people looked ready to argue with Harry. Harry held up a hand and explained Tom Riddle's story, leaving out the Horcruxes of course.
"There is no difference between witch or wizard, pureblood or muggleborn," Harry said. "My best mate, Ron Weasley, a pureblood, my best friend, Hermione Granger, a muggleborn, and myself, a half-blood. Three different blood statuses, three different ways of life, and yet we came together to beat Voldemort. If we three teenagers can do it, why can't all of you?"
There was a murmur from the crowd, obviously not liking being talked down to by a teenager, even if that teenager was the Boy-Who-Lived and the Man-Who-Won."
"Thank you Mr. Potter," Weatherspoon said, quickly stepping up to Harry's side. "Thank you for your wise words, and your sacrifice."
Harry nodded and stepped down from the podium as Weatherspoon stood forward to address the crowd again, "Well then, that is all the surprises I have for tonight," he said, "So please enjoy the rest of your evening."
The three ICW members walked off the stage and through a door in the wall. Harry stepped around the podium and walked over to the memorial wall, staring up at the names engraved in golden letters. Hermione stepped over to his side and followed his example.
"So many," Harry said. "So many names, so much death."
"And we will save them all Harry," Hermione said, wrapping her arm around Harry's waist and laying her head against his shoulder. Harry turned his head and laid his chin on hers and sighed.
"I know we will Hermione, I know we will," Harry said.
A/N: Well there you have it, the newest installment of History is Written by the Victors, I hope you all enjoy the new title. I think it is better than the previous title A Chance, A Hope? This chapter is a bit shorter than my previous ones, mainly because this is only part one of the chapter that I had written up. That chapter was over 10,000 words, and I felt that it was better to spilt the chapter than post in just one chapter. Please let me know what you all think, and til next time,
SlyNinjaKnight