What Happens Next ~ Harry Potter Fanfiction

Chapter 1

Harry walks slowly out of the great hall, keeping his eyes trained on the doors, not daring to glance down and see one of those who died fighting. Remus. Tonks. Fred. Colin. He wondered what would happen to poor little Teddy, he would ask Andromeda who gets him in a week or two, right now the wounds of battle are still too fresh. He could hear people screaming his name, cheering, celebrating the death of the Dark Lord. He could barely feel the hands gripping his own, thanking him for saving their lives but they did not know that he was trying to get away from it all, find the one who he loved most.

Ginny.

Harry knew where he was going, it was a path he and Ginny took often in sixth year when trying to get away from the news in the Daily Prophet or the people who kept asking him when he's going to do something to get rid of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Without realising it, Harry reached the lake where he could see a red-headed girl sitting with her feet in the water. As Harry approached, he could hear Ginny sobbing softly, and sat down next to her where she looked up and hugged him.

"H- He's g-gone. Fred." she choked out, barley distinguishable between heavy sobs.

"I know. I- I'm sorry." tears started to well in Harry's eyes, and he just felt guilty. If it weren't for him, no-one would've got hurt. If he'd of come here without making such a big fuss, no-one would've died except for Voldemort.

Ginny looked him straight in the eyes. "L-look. I love you so much a-and Fred did too. As a brother. He would n-n-never blame a b-brother."

These words hit Harry hard. He knew she was right but it was just so hard to accept they were gone. They just sat there for a while, in each others arms, staring into the lake and processing every thing that had happened that day. After a while, Mrs Weasely came out with a tear-streaked face and red, puffy eyes.

"Ginny, Harry, teas ready. We're going to remember those that were lost... I know you two of all people wouldn't want to miss that." she walked back into the castle without another word, although it was clear her shoulders were shaking with sobs as she thought of Fred, her lost son.

They wandered over to the doors to the entrance hall and through into the great hall. Everyone was sat in huddles, scattered amongst the four tables and even at the edge on the floor. Harry and Ginny sat, hand in hand, next to the rest of the Weasely's and Hermione, who was curled up next to a pale-faced Ron. George had his head on the table and was sobbing heavily, Bill weakly patting his back whilst shedding tears of his own.

Professor McGonagall stood up over what used to be Dumbledore's owl podium. "Something life-changing happened today. Lord Voldemort was killed by Harry Potter, who always had hope in is heart." All heads flickered to Harry, who burned with embarrassment and modesty. Had he really always had hope in his heart? "But with that, comes great pain. We have all lost someone, friend or foe, who had a space in our hearts. These people fought for a brighter future that they never get to see. We need to remember these people and honour them. When Hogwarts is rebuilt, their will be an added chamber where their are portraits of the Fallen Fifty. It will be opened to those who wish to speak to them whenever, regardless whether it is one in the morning or one in the afternoon. I say we eat a feast, not only to celebrate the death of the most feared wizard of all time, but to those who have suffered at the hand of his evil." She raised her glass filled with water. "To the Fallen Fifty". A chorus of that rang around the room, some choked and some barley above a whisper.

That night was filled with good food that tasted sour and endless mourning and celebration through the night.