44
Wes
I walked up the wide steps of Hogwarts castle feeling much too tired than I should have. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I entered. Sadness? Anger? A feeling of loss? My parents had told me to focus on my work so I guess that's what I would do.
But when I got into the Entrance Hall, everyone was crowding into the Great Hall. There was more chatter than usual and for once I couldn't seem to figure out what it was. I squeezed through the crowd, craning my neck to try and see above the crowd. The house tables were gone and at the front of the room where the teachers sat were some familiar faces.
"Wes Adkins!" Will yelled above the crowd, pointing his wand to his throat like an announcer. "Please report to the front of the room." Next to him was Olivia, Evie, Ian, and Maggie. And surprisingly Harry Potter. What the bloody hell was happening?
A path was formed for me as I made my way up, looking as bewildered as I felt. My friend's grins were extremely suspicious and I couldn't stop myself from asking countless questions as soon as I met the behind the headmaster's podium.
"What's happening?" I asked, but no one answered. They just laughed and exchanged glances. Oh, this was way too weird.
"Can everyone quiet down? We have an announcement." Will shouted over the sea of students and a hush fell around us. I spotted Hermione Granger looking shocked beyond belief and McGonagall who switched from angry to smug. She winked at me and I thought I must be dreaming.
"I don't know if you know Wes here but he's a great person." Will started, a grin on his face. "He's intelligent and witty and is always looking for the truth. A true reporter, if you ask me.
"At the start of this year he told me that he wanted to show the wizarding world what it was like to be a Hogwarts student. A student that, alongside Harry Potter, had grown up with a war raging and Voldemort on our tails. We have all been categorized and thrown into one big group by the media and no one has ever asked why. Why don't we get recognition for all that we've done? Why do we get looked over despite our hunger for change in a world so full of prejudice? Well, now we're getting what we deserve."
Will gestured to Olivia. All the light vanished from the room except for a the glow of what seemed like a projector. A projector in Hogwarts? God help us all. All the students turned to the white screen while my friends looked at me.
"Thank you." said a voice and I noticed Harry Potter with a grateful look in his eyes. Looking right at me. The Boy Who Lived thanked me. Wow.
"Here is the Potter Generation."
The white screen turned to black and white letters appeared. The room was the most quiet I had ever heard. Sparks flew in my stomach.
Potter Generation (n.) : the generation that fought in the Battle of Hogwarts; the year of Harry Potter
"My name is Olivia Tellson and I have agreed to be part of the Potter Generation"
"My name is Ian Valerio and I have agreed to be part of the Potter Generation"
"My name is Evie Hale and I've agreed to be part of the Potter Generation."
"My name is Will Elliot and I've agreed to be part of the Potter Generation."
"My name is Harry Potter and I have agreed to be part of the Potter Generation."
All five faces appeared as they talked and the last one made my stomach drop. Harry Potter? What had they been doing during holiday? The video continued with my interviews, cut in all the right places and organized in a way that I wouldn't have even imagined. The students laughed at all the rights times and nodded their heads when something important was said.
"What's your opinion of Harry Potter?" Olivia asked in what had to be an imitation of my voice. The camera cut to Harry himself.
"He's a complete git." Harry answered with a straight face and even I laughed.
All of my footage of the castle played with all of us talking in the back. It sent chills down my spine. There was footage of the train and the lake and people smiling and waving and teachers pointing their fingers at me and some new footage of my friends prancing in the snow.
"I want people to know that we aren't just puppets that simply go along with Harry Potter." I remembered going on this rant but had no idea that I was being filmed. "The media is so obsessed with having a Chosen One but they refuse to believe that he had help. He had a group of kids that were plunged into this war that started way before we were even alive. A group of kids that weren't going to let some noseless douche canoe ruin our school years." Everyone laughed then and I felt Will take my hand. I didn't let go.
"That's why I'm doing this." I continued. "So we aren't forgotten like so many others were."
There was more footage of students and the party which made people gasp and laugh. I squeezed Will's hand and he squeezed back. I couldn't believe this was happening.
"We're the only generation that can go through an entire war and still have time for gossip." Olivia's voice laughed.
"We're the kids that could have been soldiers but fought with our hearts instead of our heads." Will's voice said. Tears stung my eyes.
"We're the assholes that Voldemort couldn't get rid of." Maggie's voice said smugly and I couldn't stop myself from crying any longer.
"We're the Potter Generation." It was my voice this time, echoing through the room like a prayer. The screen went black for a second before my face showed up. There I was with my thick framed glasses and messy hair. A complete nerd at best.
"My name is Wes Adkins and this has been the Potter Generation."
The screen went black for good after that and the lights came back up. I expected silence or something terrible but I was greeted with applause. Every student turning and applauding me like I had done something great like defeated the darkest wizard of all time. Hands clapped my back and people whistled and whooped.
I turned to my friends who had tears in their eyes as well and we had a group hug. A big cheesy group hug like in the movies. I was so happy I thought my heart would beat out of my chest. The room then turned to chaos. Good chaos of course. But still chaos.