Heroes

"That was bloody brilliant," said Ron, as Harry slipped into his seat, his cheeks still flaming slightly. Molly didn't chide her son for using bad language. She was one of the people with a hanky. Ginny flashed him a dazzling smile and slipped her hand into his. "Well done," she whispered.

"That was lovely," Hermione murmured.

Neville, his skin still a little flushed, next made his way to the front. It was his turn to speak.

"Er… if you would have told me on the first day that I would be standing here now, speaking to a big audience like this, I would have said that there was more chance of me winning the quiditch world cup but…war makes you stronger. War makes heroes out of ordinary folk, cos you realise that even if you go under trying, you have to fight back – not just for yourself, but for your future and the future of everyone else around you. Harry says he's not a hero, but he's wrong. He is a hero, cos he never backed down, he never gave up. Everyone who fought You-you-who that day is a hero."

"I wasn't always very brave. I remember in 2nd year, we had to study the Ridikulous charm with Professor Lupin. We were told to imagine the thing that scared us most – I'm ashamed to say that mine was Professor Snape! I don't think he would have minded that part cos I think he liked being scary, however I'm not sure what he would have thought if he ever found out I pictured him dressed in my grandmother's clothes!" There was a burst of laughter from the crowd. Augusta Longbottom glared at him. "Sorry gran," he said sheepishly.

"Neither Professor Lupin or Professor Snape are with us anymore. I feel sorry for Professor Snape though, cos he died thinking we all hated him and I suppose most of us did cos he was too good at being a spy. He fooled all of us, but we should have realised cos the last year before the war was awful but he never punished us properly, he sent us out with Hagrid instead."

Professor Lupin had a son and if he grows up to be half the person his mum and dad were, he'll be an amazing kid. I've talked about the teachers, but there were kids who died as well and that is what is really sad – kids younger than me, who will never grow up to be what they were meant to be. They will never eat another chocolate frog and they will never have kids who go to Hogwarts themselves. Harry says they are with us and watching us and if they are, I want to say thank you…for your sacrifice, thank you for being so brave and I'm sorry that you will never get any older…" Neville wiped away the tear that had tracked down his face and made his way back to his seat. Others came forward to give their own tribute. Luna read a poem that she had written. It made no sense to anyone apart from herself.

After the readings, everyone assembled in the courtyard for a Weasley tribute; a magical firework display. Harry stood with his friends, his arms wrapped around Ginny, as shimmering figures of Fred, Lavender, Remus, Tonks and all the others who had fallen at the battle of Hogwarts appeared in the sky – apart from those who had followed Voldemort. Then there was a shower of exploding, golden stars that clustered together to form the Gryffindor lion, surrounded by smaller red stars. The display changed to yellow with a silver badger, to represent the colours and symbol of Hufflepuff, then blue with the golden raven of Ravenclaw, followed by a magnificent silver serpent and the green of Slytherin. Then, all four houses' symbols combined as for the grand finale, a large cluster of fireworks formed the school coat of arms bearing the motto:

DRACO DORMIENS NUNQUAM TITILLANDUS

As everyone began to make their way back inside for the grand feast, Harry spotted Draco and his mother slipping out through the archway. He told Ginny he would meet her inside and rushed across the yard. When he got through the gate, they were scurrying down the steps away from the castle.

"Draco!"

They halted and turned to face him hesitantly.

"Hello Harry," said Narcissa. Her son's grey eyes met Harry's green ones and he swallowed nervously. It was the first time that Harry had seen the Malfoys since their trial.

"How have you been Draco?"

"OK," The haughty demeanour that Draco had carried all through his school years was gone. The blond boy appeared altogether more humble.

"How is your father?" Draco and his mother exchanged a look that did not go unnoticed by the other teen. "He's OK, didn't think it would be a good idea for him to – you know!"

Harry nodded, once. "Look, I don't know if you and I will ever be friends – given all that's happened, but I'd like to think that we won't be enemies."

Draco nodded and Narcissa smiled and glanced at her son, putting her arm around his shoulder.

"Aren't you staying for the feast?" Harry enquired.

The blond teen shook his head. "Nah, father is expecting us back for dinner." He took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. "Thanks – for sticking up for Slytherin. I wasn't expecting that – not from you."

"Well I was almost a Slytherin myself, I guess and anyway, no matter how you were brought up, we are talking about kids of eleven when they are sorted."

Draco nodded. "I wonder what would have happened if we'd all made different decisions." He looked unhappy, his grey eyes flicked to the ground and back.

"For what it's worth, I think you would have done well in Slytherin."

"Er thanks. I'm sorry that I did not shake your hand in the first year, when you offered it."

"Well I was an arrogant prick and I don't blame you. You were just standing up for your friend. There are a lot of stuff, I wish I had done differently," he murmured.

Harry nodded. "Me too. Not nearly getting myself killed every other week would have been a good start." Draco snorted. "And I'm sorry about the cutting curse I used on you in the bathroom. I really had no idea what it could do." Harry looked sheepish. "I thought it was just a disarming charm." He glanced at Narcissa who stood quietly, her gaze switched between the two boys, though she did not interrupt them.

Draco's eyes widened at the memory. "It was bloody painful – impressive though! Where did you learn that – it wasn't in any text book I've seen?"

"Er it was in a book that I found in the potions cupboard – it belonged to Professor Snape when he was a student, that's how I know he called himself the Half-blood Prince."

Draco snorted. "I should have known! I wondered how you came up with that name. I was surprised when I first heard about Severus and your mum. Just think…" He began. "If they hadn't fallen out – he might have been your dad instead." Narcissa's lips quirked with the ghost of a smile.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't even go there Draco!" Harry's brows furrowed. "It's a good think he wasn't. I'd have been grounded for most of my school life!"

"Yeah he was pretty tough on you and I guess I didn't do much to help that –sorry!" He held Harry's gaze. "If you hadn't spoken up for me and mother, we might have been in Azkaban by now. I don't think I would have survived in there."

"No they probably wouldn't have your brand of hair gel." Harry smirked.

"Oi! I'm being serious here Potter!" He glared at Harry but his lips turned up at the corner as though he was trying to hide a smile. His hand unconsciously went to smooth down his hair as he did.

Harry noticed this and mumbled. "I rest my case." Even the boy's mother laughed.

Draco lowered his hand, gazed at it for a moment then smirked. "Fair enough Potter!"

Harry glanced at his watch. "I'd better go in before Ron eats all the cake."

"Look," Draco began, "I think we have a lot to discuss, "could we meet sometime."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "Sure send me an owl and we'll arrange something."

He said goodbye to both Narcissa and Draco then watched as they walked to the school boundaries then spun on the spot and apparated. Harry turned in one fluid motion and headed back up to the Great Hall.