Harry felt exhausted as he navigated through his memories of tonight's dinner and he needed a fresh air so he went to sit on the steps of Hogwarts entrance. Apparently, they were old enough to be included in what Molly Weasley would have called 'adult talk' back in their fifth year in 12 Grimmauld Place. Hermione was positively pleased being asked about their opinions but Harry thought otherwise.

Being reminded of loss and casualties only brought his simmering guilt up a notch. He felt his stomach become heavy, coiling, and tight, as if it was tied like a knot. Harry had already told the Order about Severus Snape and his agenda, they had expressed sorrow, and a swift order from Professor McGonagall to fetch his remains from the Shrieking Shack to be brought here.

The Headmistress had begun counting off the dead from the side of Hogwarts and every name felt like a heavy blow, a bludgeon to his already weary emotions. There were talks of memorials and ceremonies, what with Kingsley Shacklebolt, being the acting Minister. Harry reckoned it would be official, he would even bet for that. Still, the guilt intensified, eating him on the inside as Professor McGonagall's voice broke as she named those who died during the battle.

Lavender Brown, his housemate who have been steadfast towards Harry, mauled and savaged by Fenrir Greyback.

Colin Creevey, heeding the call of DA, went out of hiding to sneak in Hogwarts, dying in the process. Harry's eyes threatened to prickle with tears as he remembered the limp body of Colin being carried by Neville Longbottom and later, Oliver Wood. Harry's throat felt blocked as he thought of facing Dennis, Colin's younger brother, with the knowledge that his brother laid his life.

Frederick Weasley had been a heavy blow that all the Weasleys were somber and not like their chipper selves that Harry had known them. Even Molly felt subdued as she fussed and smiled at Harry, straining to make her smile reach her eyes, to no avail. Arthur had been an unshakeable foundation but there were times Harry would notice the façade crumble and falter only to be quickly covered up by that strong masked persona.

Charlie was devastated, to say the least. He hadn't been there when the Weasley's mourned Fred. He only came later with Horace Slughorn bringing up back-ups like Madam Rosmerta, Madam Malkin, and Madam Puddifoot. Bill was trying, and failing at times, to be the big brother he had to be for the siblings, Fleur supporting him along the way. Ginny had never left her mother's side or anyone of her family since Voldemort's defeat, afraid that they might be taken away without her looking.

But the ones who took the loss hard were the ones who last saw Fred laugh and joke, and his twin: Percy, Ron, and George. Percy had been quiet and had lashed out one time, breaking down as he repeated how it was his fault and that he failed as an older brother, Molly and Arthur coaxing him, their tears mingling together as they held him tight.

And Ron, he was trying to be normal. The goofball, the butt of the jokes. Harry was amazed how Ron kept his sadness at bay to cater to George, who had been unresponsive and blank most of the time. Harry once saw Ron telling jokes and memories fondly about the twins, and though he was laughing with the silliness of the memories, tears were continuously streaming down his face without him knowing.

The sad thing was that George seemed that he wasn't even listening, still staring ahead, as if Fred will just jump out and say that everything was a joke. Harry had wished it was a joke but no, he only felt emptiness clawing his heart.

The grief intensified as he was reminded of Remus and Nymphadora Lupin. Andromeda Tonks had flooed in earlier in the Headmistress' office, clutching Teddy Lupin, and bravely faced the corpses of her daughter and son-in-law. Harry had met the woman, and she was dignified and strong in the face of tragedy. Her eyes spoke her grief but she received Harry warmly, introducing him to his godson, letting him take care of the kid as she searched for the Lupins.

Harry wondered how Andromeda did it. She lost almost everyone in her family, including her husband, Ted, and she's left with no body to bury, too. She stilled as she heard her name being called softly.

"Andromeda," called Narcissa, who hurried to catch up with Andromeda.

Despite being called and recognizing the voice, Andromeda didn't turn.

"Hello, Narcissa," she replied, her voice icy and hollow. Narcissa winced.

"I was hoping the next time we see each other would be in a much better circumstance," Narcissa whispered.

Andromeda scoffed, causing Narcissa to wince again.

"I think Bellatrix made it perfectly clear the last time you both saw me that you both haven't got a third sister. I faintly remember being threatened a Killing Curse if I ever show my face again," sneered Andromeda frostily, and slowly moved to walk away.

Narcissa made an attempt to follow but reined herself, knowing she had no right to stop her or make her wait. She sighed, knowing a lost cause, and whispered, "I hope we'll see each other once more as sisters, Andi."

She turned back and Andromeda continued to walk, making no sign that she heard Narcissa but the falter in her steps say otherwise. Andromeda passed by Bellatrix's corpse and although it broke her heart, she didn't lay her eyes on the unmoving body. She loved her sisters even after all the bitterness, but Bellatrix had it coming a long time ago, since she swore her loyalty to a despicable man.

A part of her was vindictive enough to scorn Bellatrix reaping what she's sown but Bellatrix was still her sister, and it was perfectly fine to mourn for the Bellatrix she knew even a little.

Andromeda finally saw the bodies of her daughter and son-in-law. It took all her restraint not to wail seeing how peaceful they looked as if they were sleeping, but she knew, in her heart, in her very soul, that no matter how she wished it were not true, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, her baby girl, would never open their eyes again.

She kneeled between them and her hands tightly clutching the fabric near their chests, and bowed her head. Tears trickling down from her eyes, Andromeda stayed there, unmoving, longer than she expected. Harry tore his eyes away from Teddy and towards Andromeda, and one look made him look away and back to Teddy again. His heart went out for her and his guilt has been growing ever since.

Harry was roused from his thoughts when he felt someone shaking him.

"Hey, Potter! You with me?"

Harry found himself face-to-face again with Victor Rosier.

"U-uh… Y-yeah… Blimey, how long have you been there?" Harry asked.

Victor merely raised his eyebrow, "Just a couple of minutes, actually. Was trying to give you back your Invisibility Cloak, you seemed to have forgotten it earlier and left it back at the grounds near the Thestral herd."

It was only that moment Harry noticed Victor was clutching Ignotus Peverell's heirloom. Of all the idiotic thing he'd done, no one can top off leaving a Hallow, an heirloom of his family at that, on the ground. Harry immediately held his hand out and Victor promptly gave it to him.

"Alright. That's settled, see you around," Victor bid goodbye, turning around to go back inside the castle. Harry suddenly remembered Victor's question earlier and grabbed the man's arm. Victor startled badly and sent a hex firing off, luckily, Harry was able to dodge.

"What's wrong with you? Don't ever try to do that again!" Victor chided, breathing heavily.

Harry flushed, "I'm sorry. But I had to check back on your question to me earlier?"

Victor raised his eyebrow. "What about it?"

"Why'd you ask it?"

"Can't a man ask a harmless, foolish question?"

"No, but I've learned to trust my instinct," Harry said calmly, despite his frustrations boiling up, "and my instinct is that there must have been a reason you asked that question."

Victor did not retort. He merely stared at Harry's expectant face turning smug as seconds passed before turning to worry that his hunch was wrong. But his eyes were stilled in determination that Victor seemed to recognize.

"Alright, not here. Follow me," Victor said, and turned away.

Reluctantly, Harry followed. He was debating his choice and decision to know more now that he's alone with Victor Rosier going somewhere. Although, Luna had vouched for him, it's not good to be lax and trust him altogether. Merlin, he was turning into Alastor Moody.

He could hear Moody berate him for only having the Invisibility Cloak at hand and his wand, he could almost hear him scream, "CONSTANT VIGILANCE, POTTER!"

And just like that, Harry's emotions turned into a dip again. Moody's body was never found and the only thing left of him is his mechanical eye.

They arrived in a spacious room with a portrait of Merlin, a personal library, rows of bookshelves, and various tables.

"The Sphinx Clubhouse?" asked Harry, incredulously.

"Not quite," said Victor, as he made his way towards Merlin's portrait. The wizened wizard on the portrait raised his eyebrow, questioning their presence.

Victor spoke, "Merlin, I stand before your cove, the one that holds your mark be allowed to enter your trove."

Merlin tilted his head and the portrait enlarged, opening to reveal a passageway that leads to an unknown room. Harry's eyes widened. He was sure this room and passageway weren't in the Marauder's Map. Victor entered the passageway, Harry at his heels. As the room unraveled itself, Harry could hear himself swearing.

"Bloody hell, this room's amazing. When did you discover this room?" asked Harry.

"My first year. Although, I discovered this room exactly as you see it."

The room that the passageway leads to was spacious, with ornate designs and tapestries hanging. The carpets were clean as if the room was in use and well taken care of. There were rows of bookshelves and the books themselves looked ancient. If Hermione were here, she'd have a field day with these around.

The room was lit by a hanging chandelier, a big portrait of Merlin on the wall, the old wizard smiling at them warmly. A large banner of green and silver was hanging at the other end of the room, a snake coiling around a big letter M. Only seeing that made Harry's mind look for pieces to click together.

"I-Is this Merlin's Cove?" Harry expressed in awe. Victor nodded.

"I don't understand, how can this be here without people knowing? And why is there a specific room for Merlin in Hogwarts?"

Victor eyed him with amusement, "Mate, it's Merlin. He would have had used his cunning to convince the Founders and voila, his own room."

Merlin chuckled at this reply and Harry took time to check out this sorcerer. This portrait was unlike those he saw in the Chocolate Frog cards or outside who have depicted him with a long beard than Dumbledore's. This Merlin's beard only reached up to his chest, he was wearing a hood over his midnight blue robes adorned with silver stars.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of having the Boy-Who-Lived here in my humble abode?"

It was Victor who answered.

"We're having a discussion."

Merlin nodded. Victor turned to Harry, and motioned for him to sit down.

"Well, do you have an answer to the question I had earlier?"

"Say, Potter, if you have the means to change everything, would you?"

Earlier, he had just stared at Victor, wasn't able to process the question fully, to ruminate it. But it had stayed in his mind like a plague during dinner. He remembered Lavender Brown not being able to pursue a Divination-related profession or not being able to face Dennis for shame that Colin was dead. He thought of Mr and Mrs Weasley, of Bill and Fleur, Charlie, Ginny, Percy, Ron, and George and how their family is crumbling at the wake of Fred's death. He thought of Teddy Lupin, his godson who would never meet his parents, and Andromeda, and everyone who approached him with tears in their eyes profusely saying thank you.

Deep down, Harry knew his answer.

"Yes. Yes, I would."