Breaking the shadows

The battle of Hogwarts.

1998

Saturday May 2nd

Every student and every staff member were called outside. When McGonagall had seen Voldemort and his army approaching, we all hurried out, I stood beside Ginny clutching her hand as she said: "Who is that Hagrid's carrying? Harlow who is it?"

Her words trailed off, the weight of her question hanging heavily in the air. I turned my gaze back to Hagrid, my heart sinking as I recognized the familiar shock of untidy black hair. It was Harry Potter, the chosen one, the boy who had faced countless trials and triumphed over darkness.

A gasp escaped Ginny's lips, her hands flying to cover her mouth in disbelief. Tears streamed down her face as the truth settled in, mingling with the anguish that had already consumed her. The hero she loved, laid lifeless in Hagrid's arms.

A devastating silence enveloped us, broken only by the distant sounds of the ongoing battle. Ginny's legs trembled beneath her, threatening to give way, but I held her tightly, providing the support she desperately needed. The weight of loss bore down upon us, threatening to crush our spirits, but we clung to each other, drawing strength from our love and the memories we shared.

Voldemort's voice sliced through the air, his cold proclamation reaching our ears. "Harry Potter is dead!" His words echoed with a malevolence that seeped into our bones, a chilling confirmation of our worst fears.

Ginny's grief erupted, her anguished cry tearing through the battlefield. She fought against the overwhelming sorrow, her body shaking with a mix of heartache and fury. Her eyes blazed with a determination that defied the darkness surrounding us.

"No, nooo!" she screamed; her voice filled with defiance. She ran forward but her father Arthur Weasley grabbed a hold of her and pulled her back.

Voldemort's icy voice filled the air: "Silence." As he struck a spell against her, Arthur protecting her with his own body.

As Arthur pulled Ginny back to the rest of the school, I got to her and held her tightly.

"Stupid girl" Voldemort continued: "Harry Potter is dead. From this day forth, you put your faith in me."

Voldemort turned to his army of death eaters and yelled: "Harry Potter is dead." And the laughter roared from the death eaters.

"And now is the time to declare yourself. Come forward and join us. Or die." Voldemort proceeded.

No-one stepped forward, so Lucius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy's father whispered loudly: "Draco." Lucius held his hand forward as Narcissa said: "Draco... come."

Draco appeared in the crowd and walked toward his parents as Voldemort proudly said: "Ah, well done Draco. Well done."

Just as Draco had joined his parents and the death eaters, Neville hopped forward, a smile widened on Voldemort's face as he said: "Well I must say, I's hoped for better."

Laughter roared again from the death eaters as Voldemort said: "And who might you be young man."

"Neville Longbottom" Neville said while looking down.

"Well, Neville, I'm dure we can find a place for you in our ranks."

"Id like to say something." Neville cut him off.

Voldemort: "Well, Neville, I'm sure we'd all be fascinated to hear what you have to say."

Neville: "It doesn't matter Harry's gone."

"Stand down Neville" Seamus said. But Neville proceeded with his speech: "People die every day. Friends, family. Yeah. We lost Harry tonight, but he's still with us. In here." Neville placing his hand over his heart. "So's Fred, and Remus, Tonks. All of them. They didn't die in vain."