HP8 (On Hold)

Memorial Service

The rest of the day was spent preparing for the evening memorial service. 

Professor Flitwick was performing a number of charms in preparation of the service. 

Professor McGonagall was materialising numerous ranks of chairs for the attendees to sit, before a raised effigy. 

She had startled Harry by informing him that it would be expected of him to give a speech at the service.   So Harry had spent most of the afternoon with Hermione trying to put a speech together, this wasn’t easy, the easy part was thanking all those who had pulled together to fight, not so easy was expressing his sorrow and grief for those who had lost their lives without knowing what had really occurred, just in their conviction that Harry was meant to lead them to an ultimate victory.  Only he knew how close he had been in nearly failing them, he had told Hermione and Ron all that had happened the previous night, but not even they could comprehend how near it had been, also it was ironic that it had been Neville who had ultimately been the one to destroy Voldemort’s last Horcrux, so making him vulnerable again for the final fight, without him knowing what he had done. 

By four O’clock the guards at the castle gates had been doubled, groups of people could be seen walking through the grounds up to the castle.  Although the teachers and ministry officials didn’t expect any Death Eaters to try anything so soon, there was always a possibility, so for safety, everyone would congregate in the main hall, only when it was close to dusk would everyone then convene to the memorial site. 

Harry was please to see that the Weasley family were one of the first to have arrived, they had been so involved in all that had happened to Harry, that he knew he could rely on their support, he nearly felt like one of the family.  Also they would be a shield from everyone else who may want to talk to him, he could already sense that there were a lot of people glancing at him. 

Kinglsey came over to see them. 

“Hello all, I just wanted to go over the order of the service with you, I will welcome everyone for attending, then I will introduce you Harry.  Once you have said what ever it is you wish to say, Professor McGonagall will read through the lists of people we have compiled of those who was here last night.  Once that is done, I will go through the list of the deceased and will unveil the memorial.  Is that clear?” 

“Yes Minister, quite clear.” Harry responded, but they could all see he was a little startled.  Obviously he had reckoned on being so prominent in the order of speakers.

“Don’t worry Harry, just say what you feel is right, the monument was your idea and it’s only right that you should be our main speaker.” And he turned and walked back up to the main table where other Ministry officials were talking to the teachers. 

“Main Speaker.” Harry spluttered, “But I have never even made a speech before, what if I can’t do it?” 

“You will be fine Harry.”  Mr Weasley assured him, “look at that speech you gave last night to the Dark Lord, surely talking to him like that, was a lot harder than just saying what happened to us?” 

“But last night was just to him, there wasn’t an audience.  Well not like now anyway” 

“I think you will find Harry, that there were a couple of hundred people here last night listening to that speech.  And I reckon not one of them will ever forget a single word of what you said.” Commented Mrs Weasley, “Though I doubt if more than a couple will understand more than a few sentences.” she added with a smile and nod at Ron and Hermione. 

“But that was completely different” moaned Harry. 

“Your not scared are you Harry.”  Piped up George, “Not just saying a speech after all you have done, you can’t be”