The Dark Mark (The Girl Who Lived part II)

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As soon as the sun peeked its shy face over the horizon, relief washed over Hogwarts. There was no more Voldemort or Death Eater's who held allegiance to him. It was a new day and thus, a new age. Professor McGonagall replaced the tables. Everyone celebrated and mourned simultaneously. 

I joined the Weasley family in their own corner of the room. George told his cheesy jokes, while trying to distract us from the overlying sadness. "Scarlet, there's something you need to know. Snape's dead". Ron said. I excused myself and headed to the prefect's bathroom. I couldn't burst into tears there. It'd only cause a chain reaction. Upset the members of the Weasley family who were on the verge of tears, and were trying so hard to be strong for one another. I didn't cry because of the way he died nor because I'd missed him. I'd only known he was my father for a few years. I didn't have that connection most people have with their parents. And yet, Snape was the only one who I cared to call, "dad". I sobbed not for the times we had together, but for the times we didn't. The memories of us together that would be no more. 

When my face was no longer flushed and my fountain of tears had run dry, I returned to the Great Hall. Harry was surrounded by people who each wanted a word with him. Families gathered around each other. I noticed one family in particular. The Malfoy family who huddled against one another, in the confined quarters of the corner. Though the Ministry would spare them because they'd withdrawn their support from Voldemort. 

Across the room, I found Neville who sat alone. He was one of the few missing family. But although he was missing family, that didn't necessarily mean he sat alone. Neville sat in the midst of girls who were fawning over him. I had to swat four of them away before I could get a seat next to him. He had a plate full of food in front of him, Godric Gryffindoor's sword adjacent. Padma and Romilda gave him googly eyes and giggled at everything he said. While Cho Chang ran her fingers up and down his bicep. Not being able to stand the sight of it anymore, I shooed them away. It was disgusting the way how they'd never given Neville the time of day before, and now that he'd beheaded Nagini, he wasn't invisible to them anymore. I pointed out that Harry returned, and the girls left Neville alone, flocking towards Harry. Give them a little eye candy, and they go crazy. "Sorry Harry". I thought apologetically. "Thanks". Said Neville. "Is that what it feels like?" He asked me. "What's like?" I asked him. "To be popular? Swarmed by all those girls". "Unfortunately, yes". I regretfully answered. I'd known this because of Harry's rising and falling popularity all throughout the years we'd been attending Hogwarts. 

"I'm finally free, Neville". I said. But as I talked of the plans I would have, the image of Voldemort torturing Neville with the sorting hat flashed into my mind. The person who'd always symbolized comfort to me, was now the one who needed comforting. I squeezed him into a hug. "Thanks, Scarlet". "No, Neville. Thank you". 

And we celebrated into the late evening. For the majority o it, I remained by Neville's side. I yawned. It'd be a rather long day. The perceptive Neville who exchanged my old gauze for a newer one, noticed this. He glanced at the clock. "It's getting late. I suppose it's time for bed". He said yawning himself. Neville escorted me to the Hospital Wing. "Neville, why are we here?" I asked him. He answered my question with a nudge before heading off to bed. I ventured into the Hospital Wing, a white curtain just a bit behind the door obstructed my view. I removed the curtain to find Harry there mixed in an array of flowers. He wore the same suit he had at Slughorn's Christmas Party. "Harry?" "Do you like it?' He asked me. His eyes eager for approval. "I love it. It's a sweet gesture, really. But what's the occasion?" I asked, looking up at him. "I've been thinking, Scarlet". He said, dodging the question. He turned on the radio located on one of the night stands, changing the channel to the classical station. Harry approached me. "About what?" I asked. He put one hand on the small of my back and the other entwined his fingers with mine. And before I knew it, we were dancing. "I've always wanted a family of my own. One of the missing pieces was who would remain beside me in my golden years. And I've realized something". He paused for a moment before continuing. "You're my missing puzzle piece, Scarlet. And I never want to live without you". He reached into his pocket and produced two rings. "Harry-" "Don't say that we're too young. I've come to the realization that life is short. You never know how time we have left. Don't say that you aren't sure if we can handle it. If we were able to defeat Voldemort once and for all, we can handle anything. Together. So, what do you say?" He asked, his eyes hopeful. I felt my cheeks flush underneath my bandages. And for the first time, I said it first. Not being forced into it. No, it was of my own free will. "I love you, Harry". He smiled with pleasure, a glint of happiness in his eye. Harry was almost unable to contain his excitement. He appeared as though he were about to pick me up and spin me around. "I love you too, Scarlet". I could see the love in his eyes. I nuzzled myself against the crook in his neck. We continued to dance the night away, not to the rhythm of the music, but to the beating of each other's heart that had become in sync. 

............................

The next day, everyone at Hogwarts began repairing the castle. However, Neville and I were assigned to assess the damage at Hogsmeade. None of the carriages were running at the time. Everyone was occupied with some sort of task, so the only transportation we had, was to walk. "Scarlet". Neville broke the silence between us. "Hmm?" "I uh, have to get something off my chest". "What is it?" "I promised myself that if I made it out of the Battle alive, that I'd tell you. It was my motivation. And so, here we are...." I didn't respond, and nodded for him to continue. Neville was clearly having a rough time conveying what he wanted to say. He stumbled over his words a few times, his face, now a pinkish hue. "I like you". He forced out. "Neville?" "Under normal circumstances, I never would've told you this. Harry's my friend, and I didn't want to step on his feelings. But you've gained your freedom back, and I just wanted to ensure that you aren't giving it away by marrying him. I want to hear you say that you love Harry Potter. I  need to know that you haven't convinced yourself that you love him because you feel guilty and afraid. Guilty that you were never able to tell him about missing that half of a year and about being a Death Eater. Afraid that when you do admit the truth, that he'll think lesser of you. So just tell me that you love him, and I'll back off. I'll bury my feelings. Never bring it up again". He had to be wrong. I loved Harry. But when I went to speak, to prove Neville wrong, my voice never came. It was as if something were preventing me from speaking. 

 And although, I was unsure about nearly everything, now that no one over my head was pulling the strings, including my feelings towards, Harry, there was one thing that I knew to be true. Home is where the heart is. Though most identify it as a place. But after all these years at Hogwarts, in search of warmth and comfort, in search of a home, I realized that my home wasn't a physical place that existed as so many refer to, but a person. Neville, who was my structure. Neville, who protected me from whatever event, or disaster may have occurred. Neville, my comfortable place. Neville, my home.