𝐢. 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐂 ; harry j. potter ( UNEDITED )

134. "the end"

Lucia felt lightheaded as she took a seat in the back of the hall along with the students of Hogwarts. She didn't think she could handle sitting at the front where all the victim's family were sat; the Creeveys sat one another, not even blinking at the magic that surrounded them, grieving their son and brother they lost; the Weasleys were huddled up together, even Luna and Hermione joining them as they grieved for the lost of not only their son, but also their daughter-in-law that they were certain would've had a grand wedding as they planned a month from now if it weren't for the circumstances; surprisingly, the Malfoys also showed their faces, but they merely sat at the back in silence, too immersed by the fact that they, too, lost a family member despite where they stood in the war. At last, she saw Andromeda Tonks, Teddy Lupin, and Harry sitting at the very front.

Even from where she sat, she saw the blotchiness on Andromeda; her beautiful face was adorned with tears as she dabbed countlessly with her hanky. But Lucia was none a fool to not believe that she had broken down more than one time. And quite honestly, she didn't blamed the woman. Not only did she lost her husband, but a daughter and even her son-in-law and friend, leaving her with only her grandson whom she was to take care of, alone. A grandson who was barely three months in living.

Lucia watched as Harry offered to take Teddy from Andromeda's hand, in which the one gratefully let as she grieved on her own. Harry held Teddy with such care and gentleness, but with fear lacing in those anxious eyes of his, for he had never held a baby before. Yet the senseless fear diminished into guilt. He felt guilty for letting all of this happened, and despite what people said to him, the guilt would remain in him.

The guilt of a survivor.

It wasn't his fault, it never was. He never chose to be the Chosen One. He never chose to live a heinous life where everything he does could either lead him to his end or to other's. The universe hated him, and it was crystal clear that even a blind man could see it. Ironically.

The prophecy messed so many thing in him, but even when it was all over, it seemed to hit him more with a much more worse toll.

Even with the current state he was in, Lucia couldn't help but watch with a tender gaze as he strive to make Teddy feel better. He would no doubt be the greatest godfather to little Teddy Lupin, like his godfather was to him. She knew without a doubt that he would help Andromeda out with Teddy, whether it'll be financially or physically. He would, because that was just the person he always had been. And sometimes, she believed that it was both blessing and a curse.

Harry James Potter, he would prioritise anyone but himself.

Seemingly catching her gaze, Harry turned around from where he was seated. He frowned momentarily when he saw where she was sitting, she should've been sitting with the rest of them at the front, but from the look she held, it didn't look as though she thought she could do it or deserved it. And he wished he could tell her otherwise right there and then, and he would've if it weren't for the funeral. He casted a small soft smile as Teddy played with his finger, and she reciprocated with a half-hearted one.

Before Harry could further talk to her through the expressions they made, Professor McGonagall walked up to the podium, wearing her black robes instead of her greens. "Welcome and thank you all for being here today, to celebrate the life of these fifty brave heroes that fought valiantly with courage during the war that ensued only yesterday ago,"

Silence filled the Great Hall. No one dared to move a muscle.

"I will not lie, yesterday and the day before that and so on, it was terrible. It was also very painful for me, I have never thought that I would ever have to fight any of my students, however that became reality just yesterday. Each and every brave soul, I expected them to outlive me, yet it brought me so much displeasure to see that I, Professor McGonagall, stood in front of all of my students, outliving them all. No matter what House they were, I treated them as though they were my students as I am their teacher. But at the same time, I love them like they were my very own children," Professor McGonagall's voice shook, but she stood her ground, trying her best to not let those tears to fall. "Their memories will live on. Their legacy will continue, and not one children will forget their name as they will be written in our history books. They will go down in history as the brave ones. The heroes of the Wizarding world."